by Deuce

ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:07 am

^ One with no mask, and the other with mask under her nose.
In the enclosed interior space of an airplane.
And even posted publicly with no shame.

It's no mystery why the virus continues to spread. The virus is problematic. But people are an even greater problem than is the virus.

by meganfernandez

Deuce wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:47 pm

ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:07 am

^ One with no mask, and the other with mask under her nose.
In the enclosed interior space of an airplane.
And even posted publicly with no shame.

It's no mystery why the virus continues to spread. The virus is problematic. But people are an even greater problem than is the virus.

For me, it's getting to the point where I blame some people for catching it. My first thought about Murray wasn't "hope he's okay" but "wtf did you do to catch it?" He has all the means to take every precaution.

by Deuce

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:51 pm For me, it's getting to the point where I blame some people for catching it. My first thought about Murray wasn't "hope he's okay" but "wtf did you do to catch it?" He has all the means to take every precaution.

^ Yes, I completely agree. That was exactly my first thought with Murray, Keys, and the others, as well.
While it is possible to contract the virus through some fluke, or a relatively innocent few seconds of inattention, it is mostly contracted though irresponsible behaviour.

And there is absolutely no excuse for irresponsible behaviour at this point. NO-ONE can claim ignorance. NO-ONE. We ALL know what to do and what NOT to do - we've ALL been told over and over and over unceasingly for the past 10 months.
And so, irresponsible behaviour is SOLELY the result of stupidity and selfishness. While it is mostly younger people who are afflicted with these defects, it is not only younger people.
Some - like the 'rich and famous' (which applies to some tennis players) have also been conditioned to believe that common rules simply don't apply to them, because they are somehow 'better' than common folk.

It's mind boggling why this continues to be permitted.
If I'm in charge of the Aussie Open, I would remove Kuznetsova and Yastremska from the draw immediately, based on that photo - period. No question, no appeal - just gone.

by Suliso I'm sorry, but this is nonsense. In highly infected places people can easily catch the virus through bad luck by simply going to work or taking public transport and no that can't be avoided for those (myself included) who don't have fully computer based jobs.

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:38 pm I'm sorry, but this is nonsense. In highly infected places people can easily catch the virus through bad luck by simply going to work or taking public transport and no that can't be avoided for those (myself included) who don't have fully computer based jobs.

Sorry, Suliso, but the majority of people who contract the virus contract it due to irresponsible behaviour. They either believe they are invincible, or they believe the virus is a hoax, or they believe that they simply will not contract it by magic, and so need not take precautions.

Yes, some people contract it by some sort of fluke, which I did mention. But they are in the minority among those who do contract it.

The reason why there are so many restrictions placed on us is not because the majority of transmissions are the result of 'bad luck', but rather because the majority of transmissions are the result of irresponsible behaviour. And the restrictions are an attempt to control the irresponsible behaviour.

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:38 pm I'm sorry, but this is nonsense. In highly infected places people can easily catch the virus through bad luck by simply going to work or taking public transport and no that can't be avoided for those (myself included) who don't have fully computer based jobs.

Yes, many people have little choice but to be out and about, and that's a different story. And I have a lot of sympathy for people who take some risks, too - this is an incredibly hard thing to live through. A lot of people live alone, or live in tiny places that aren't easy to stay in for days and days on end, or who really do suffer mentally from isolation. There are a million circumstances and varying degrees of hardship. I'm talking about people who have the means to isolate from the biggest known risks. Sure, I don't know everything about Murray's life but that's not how we operate, especially when it comes to celebrities. His case might be the tipping point for me. He's smart. He's rich. He has a lovely massive house (maybe more than one). He can hire anyone to do anything hey need. I think it's a safe assumption that he and his family could, if they chose, avoid crowds, which are the biggest danger. I'm not saying everyone has to feel the same way. It's just how I'm starting to feel after living through this in my own way. My sympathies are wearing thin.

I really do wonder where he got it.

by ti-amie I was surprised about Murray too. I was not surprised by all of the US players although many of them don't come from average middle class families. We only know what we're allowed to know about anyone in the public eye but not only Murray but all of the US players live fairly comfortably not in studios or tiny apartments.

by mmmm8

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:51 pm For me, it's getting to the point where I blame some people for catching it. My first thought about Murray wasn't "hope he's okay" but "wtf did you do to catch it?" He has all the means to take every precaution.

I give a little more leeway to people with kids like Murray. They seem to be pushed into situations in this where they might interact with people more than they wish.

by JazzNU I was least surprised by Andy Murray. I'm assuming he is in the UK right now. Highly contagious variant of an already very contagious disease for me meant no surprise there.

In terms of hiring help. Andy may be rich, but all of these players have the same thing in common even if they can hire out most of what they need - they are practicing with a team, many times, going somewhere to practice. They are always going to be around a few people outside of their household, so there's always some risk even if they are being relatively safe. And again, highly contagious variant means what was good to guard against catching covid in the Spring is clearly less effective now with this new variant.


Dayana Yastremska had covid less than a month ago. So outrage and fallout for her and Sveta's mask wearing are likely to be minimal. More likely Sveta gets more anger towards her from creating this media storm about Dayana being on that flight at all. If Sveta doesn't post anything, we legitimately know nothing right now and there's no story about this.

by Liamvalid Would like to wish my favourite player ever Mary Pierce a happy 46th birthday!

by JTContinental Given his injury history, I imagine Murray spends a fair amount of time at the doctor's office, which is where I think a lot of transmission is happening, so he could just as easily have picked it up there. Keeping his other politics in mind, I find it implausible that he thinks he's invincible or that covid is a hoax.

by ponchi101 Somehow I don't see Murray as the kind of rich person that hires 20 people to keep house.

by skatingfan

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:27 pm Somehow I don't see Murray as the kind of rich person that hires 20 people to keep house.

I think Andy is probably not the person making that decision.

by Deuce

skatingfan wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:30 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:27 pm Somehow I don't see Murray as the kind of rich person that hires 20 people to keep house.

I think Andy is probably not the person making that decision.

^

by ponchi101 Kim doesn't strike me as an Ivanka either

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:38 pm Kim doesn't strike me as an Ivanka either

Let's hope that mold has been broken.

And I'm sure Kim has household help.

by ponchi101 Oh, of course. Just not 20 people. I have always felt that Andy and his entire family are very grounded. I don't expect Kim to be barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 10:27 pm Somehow I don't see Murray as the kind of rich person that hires 20 people to keep house.

No a house full of staff, but certainly using help when they need it. Like I bet they're not mowing their own lawn, for instance. With three little kids, I imagine they would get some help with a household. This is no criticism, by the way. I'd do it.

Agree that Kim is absolutely no Ivanka!

by meganfernandez

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:10 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:51 pm For me, it's getting to the point where I blame some people for catching it. My first thought about Murray wasn't "hope he's okay" but "wtf did you do to catch it?" He has all the means to take every precaution.

I give a little more leeway to people with kids like Murray. They seem to be pushed into situations in this where they might interact with people more than they wish.

This is true. But aren't they like super young, like not old enough to be missing friends and going to school? Also, money doesn't shield from the pressure to hang out with family or friends. That's real. But that's where I thought his intelligence would come in. Figured he'd be making good decisions regularly. You can be with a few people safely.

by meganfernandez

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:41 pm Would like to wish my favourite player ever Mary Pierce a happy 46th birthday!

She was on a podcast with Rennae Stubbs recently. Did you listen do it? Pierce's Slam finals 11 years apart is a great accomplishment.

by Liamvalid

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:23 pm

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:41 pm Would like to wish my favourite player ever Mary Pierce a happy 46th birthday!

She was on a podcast with Rennae Stubbs recently. Did you listen do it? Pierce's Slam finals 11 years apart is a great accomplishment.

Thanks Megan I will search for that. Although she had a great career, I still think she could have won a couple more slams with her game (especially earlier in her career). I feel that, like Lindsay, she was capable of being in the 6-7 slams level, but obviously injuries and her dad put paid to some of it

by meganfernandez

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:31 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:23 pm

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:41 pm Would like to wish my favourite player ever Mary Pierce a happy 46th birthday!

She was on a podcast with Rennae Stubbs recently. Did you listen do it? Pierce's Slam finals 11 years apart is a great accomplishment.

Thanks Megan I will search for that. Although she had a great career, I still think she could have won a couple more slams with her game (especially earlier in her career). I feel that, like Lindsay, she was capable of being in the 6-7 slams level, but obviously injuries and her dad put paid to some of it

This must be the podcast, although it's from March. I thought it was brand new. https://play.acast.com/s/racquet/marypierce

Yeah, she was one of the physically strongest players and a fantastic athlete. Circumstances have a lot to do with it.

by mmmm8

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:21 pm

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:10 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:51 pm For me, it's getting to the point where I blame some people for catching it. My first thought about Murray wasn't "hope he's okay" but "wtf did you do to catch it?" He has all the means to take every precaution.

I give a little more leeway to people with kids like Murray. They seem to be pushed into situations in this where they might interact with people more than they wish.

This is true. But aren't they like super young, like not old enough to be missing friends and going to school? Also, money doesn't shield from the pressure to hang out with family or friends. That's real. But that's where I thought his intelligence would come in. Figured he'd be making good decisions regularly. You can be with a few people safely.

The oldest daughter is about to turn five! I just meant with small kids there are more people who help (as noted - household/nanny help, maybe some sort of tutors), more stuff you need like groceries, diapers etc. that can't always be predicted and ordered ahead, more doctors visits, et al.

by Suliso Giorgi

by meganfernandez

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 18, 2021 2:46 am

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:21 pm

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:10 pm

I give a little more leeway to people with kids like Murray. They seem to be pushed into situations in this where they might interact with people more than they wish.

This is true. But aren't they like super young, like not old enough to be missing friends and going to school? Also, money doesn't shield from the pressure to hang out with family or friends. That's real. But that's where I thought his intelligence would come in. Figured he'd be making good decisions regularly. You can be with a few people safely.

The oldest daughter is about to turn five! I just meant with small kids there are more people who help (as noted - household/nanny help, maybe some sort of tutors), more stuff you need like groceries, diapers etc. that can't always be predicted and ordered ahead, more doctors visits, et al.

Ah, okay - I thought you meant their own little lives, outside the home. Like friends, school, activities. I have a lot of sympathy for parents of teens, especially, during this time. Like my friend's daughter's club volleyball leagues have been playing for a while. These arenas are superspreaders. So many games going on at once, parents on the sidelines. My friend doesn't want her daughter to play, but there would be real consequences from holding her out, too. It's a big dilemma. I was thinking those kind of things. And school, of course.

by ti-amie That's the best picture of Giorgi I've ever seen.

by Suliso

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:19 pm That's the best picture of Giorgi I've ever seen.

Me too, that's why I posted it. Doesn't look obviously photo shopped.

by ponchi101 She doesn't need photoshop. A little bit of make up and she photographs like that.
If she could be consistently making runs into the 2nd week of Slams, she would have a $5 MM portfolio in endorsements. At a minimum.

by ptmcmahon And she only looks disinterested, not pouty or angry!

by Deuce In that photo, to me, she looks like a mannequin, or an anime character. She's pretty and all, but she just doesn't look real - she looks plastic... too perfect.

Of course, I'm a guy who prefers women without make-up and wearing a t-shirt and jeans, so that's where this perspective is coming from...

by JazzNU Sloane shared late last week that she lost both her aunt and her grandmother to covid. Her aunt passed right after Christmas, her grandmother about a week ago. Today she shared that her grandfather passed away a few days ago, a week after her grandmother. Not from covid, sounds like a broken heart. That's a lot of loss to deal with.

by meganfernandez

JazzNU wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:37 am Sloane shared late last week that she lost both her aunt and her grandmother to covid. Her aunt passed right after Christmas, her grandmother about a week ago. Today she shared that her grandfather passed away a few days ago, a week after her grandmother. Not from covid, sounds like a broken heart. That's a lot of loss to deal with.

Crushing. It appears they were close.

by JazzNU

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 5:08 pm Crushing. It appears they were close.

Yes. Close to all of them. You might remember seeing her aunt at some of her matches, especially earlier on. And her grandparents are the reason she kept going to school to get her degree, a promise she made to them. Rough time for sure.

by ponchi101 If she doesn't pick up a racquet this whole year, totally understandable.

by meganfernandez

by JazzNU How does that relate to Sascha?

by ponchi101 Can't afford both? Remember when Adidas had to decide between Novak and Andy? Sure, they got the wrong future #1, but they simply could not pay the both. Maybe this is the same case.

by JazzNU I wasn't sure and didn't want to assume. Like is this to mean Sascha is no longer with Adidas? That he's gotten a downgrade since he's not in the ad? I could come up with a few other scenarios, so I'd like to hear about how this new FAA contract relates.

Adidas may have gotten the #1 part wrong, but think they chose the right player. Novak and his also-ran endorsements don't speak to someone who is a cash cow for their brands.

by meganfernandez

JazzNU wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 8:04 pm I wasn't sure and didn't want to assume. Like is this to mean Sascha is no longer with Adidas? That he's gotten a downgrade since he's not in the ad? I could come up with a few other scenarios, so I'd like to hear about how this new FAA contract relates.

Adidas may have gotten the #1 part wrong, but think they chose the right player. Novak and his also-ran endorsements don't speak to someone who is a cash cow for their brands.

I take it as Jon suggesting this is a sign that Adidas won't renew Sascha and are replacing him with FAA as the face of their Next Gen ATP game. I don't know why they can't have both, but that's what Jon is implying.

by JazzNU Serena will be a guest on Colbert tonight if anyone wants to watch.

by Suliso Simona Halep



Aryna Sabalenka

by ponchi101 And, of course, Nick has to remain Nick, even after a full year of being locked down, which would have given him lots of time for introspection:
Did not miss tennis or most players, Kyrgios says ahead of return

Good for you, Nick. In the meantime, millions of people around the world probably did miss the sport simply because, you know, we love it but we were also in a lockdown.
And we play it at 1/100th the level you do.
But you did not miss it because, well, you are you, and you are a jerk.

He is the sole player that if something ever happens to him that stops him from playing, I will not say "Oh, I am sorry for him". Because even the greatest of all the previous jerks on court (Mac, Connors, Nastase) showed that they loved the sport.

Must be that here I am, with my bum elbow, unable to play. And it is driving me insane.

by JazzNU Players are posting on IG up a storm FYI. Mostly IG Stories not photos, but they've gotten out of quarantine and out and about. That goes for players on soft and strict quarantine. They need to dial it back a bit if you ask me as to not seem completely tone deaf, but regardless, if you follow anyone, checking out their accounts the next few days is a good idea.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:22 pm And, of course, Nick has to remain Nick, even after a full year of being locked down, which would have given him lots of time for introspection:
Did not miss tennis or most players, Kyrgios says ahead of return

Good for you, Nick. In the meantime, millions of people around the world probably did miss the sport simply because, you know, we love it but we were also in a lockdown.
And we play it at 1/100th the level you do.
But you did not miss it because, well, you are you, and you are a jerk.

He is the sole player that if something ever happens to him that stops him from playing, I will not say "Oh, I am sorry for him". Because even the greatest of all the previous jerks on court (Mac, Connors, Nastase) showed that they loved the sport.

Must be that here I am, with my bum elbow, unable to play. And it is driving me insane.

Nick actually loves tennis - probably more than most pro players. This is evident if you've ever seen him on a practice court. He absolutely adores the game of tennis, and has a huge amount of fun on the practice court - often with his peers.
But he despises the pro game. Way too much pressure for this insecure adolescent. He hates the pressure of feeling he has to perform in the spotlight... he hates the seriousness of official matches... he hates the rules that the umpire enforces...
His perpetual claims that he 'doesn't care' are nothing more than an ill-conceived effort to take the pressure off.

He may well be one of the most naturally talented humans who've ever picked up a tennis racquet - and I have no doubt he could beat pretty much anyone on the planet on any court with no-one watching and nothing at stake.
But within the environment of professional tennis, he is like a fish out of water, and all too often reacts like a frightened, insecure 13 year old child.

by ponchi101 Sorry. He did not say "I did not miss the tour. I did not miss playing in front of crowds". He said "I did not miss tennis".
There comes a moment in which you need to take a man at his word, not go completely Freudian.

by Deuce I don't take him at his word at all... He keeps saying that he 'doesn't care', for example - but his behaviour shows that he very much cares. If he didn't care, he wouldn't get upset - at umpires, fans, other players, etc. If he truly didn't care, he'd be indifferent. Actually, if he truly didn't care, he wouldn't be on the tour at all.
If anything, he cares too much for his own good.

I've seen him on the practice court several times. Each time, he was having an absolute blast. Nothing at stake. No pressure.

I don't think it's a Freudian stretch at all to conclude that he loves the game, but hates the pressure associated with the pro game.

by meganfernandez

Deuce wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:11 am I've seen him on the practice court several times. Each time, he was having an absolute blast. Nothing at stake. No pressure.

It's hardly a Freudian stretch to conclude that he loves the game, but hates the pressure associated with the pro game.

Nick may or may not live the game. We don't know. And it's a spectrum anyway. He loves to compete and he's good at tennis so he keeps doing it, but I don't think he LOVES the game. I also don't condemn him for saying he didn't miss it. It was pretty obvious that he wasn't enjoying the tour. Maybe he'll never be a full-time tour player. But people change, lives changes. Maybe he'll figure out the balance that works for him. I couldn't care less if he does or not. I waffle between some empathy and understanding and then just not giving a (expletive) when he acts petty and immature.

by Deuce Well, at least one other person sees Nick the same way I do... This is from a 2019 Tennis.com article:
“My belief is that Kyrgios genuinely loves tennis. Years ago, he built an exceptionally eclectic and effective playing style that blended power, touch, movement and confidence. It’s impossible to imagine someone engaging with the game in such a creative, playful way while simultaneously loathing it... Kyrgios so wishes to be cool, tries so hard to be indifferent—even downright hostile—to the craft to which he has dedicated himself.”
I’ve heard others also saying that they believe he truly loves tennis.

The article also mentions his insecurity and his pretending to not care.
(This article didn’t influence my perception of Kyrgios at all - I just now read it for the first time.)
https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2019/08 ... ock/84656/

I'd like to hear from people who've seen Nick on a practice court. Did it look like he was having a blast, or did he look unhappy and like he didn't want to be there?

by JazzNU My impression has always been and will likely always be unless Nick himself changes what he says and does, that he does not love tennis, he has said as much. He might like it, but he doesn't love it. He loves basketball. This is not a secret. He shows constantly that he loves basketball. He's just not good enough to play it professionally, even in Australia.

by Deuce I think when he says he doesn't love tennis, or doesn't like it, or hates it - I think he is referring to the pro game, and the environment and all the extra elements that come with the pro game that have nothing to do with the actual game (except maybe the umpiring).

As any of us who've played tournaments (at any level) realize, there is a significant difference between playing tennis with a friend at a local court and playing in a tournament match. And the main difference is in the level of pressure. I certainly notice it - even though I only play small local tournaments now, it's still very different than just playing with a friend. I always want to win, but I feel a lot more pressure in a tournament match.
In tournaments at the pro level, with the fans there, and the media reporting on your every move, etc., it's a hell of a lot more pressure than in the tournaments we play. And that can make a huge difference. The difference is so great that one might say it can turn one's natural love of the game into hate.

I'd still like to hear from people who have watched him on a practice court.

.

by Liamvalid I hope the “he doesn’t love tennis” camp are correct, and we never see disgrace the court again. To call Djokovic a tool recently, and I’m no Djokovic fan, is the most hypocritical statement to come out of a tennis players mouth ever. As Ponchi said, some people would kill to have his talent, or his opportunities, or even just to be on the court, and he does what he does and laughs in the face of those people. If I was the kind of guy that fake masturbates at work with plastic bottles, maybe I’d look up to him. But when I go to work I act in a professional manner. I have tried to give him the benefit of the doubt over the years but have given up

by ponchi101 My very first blog in TAT1.0 was about how much I love this sport. About all the little nuances of it, the amazing feeling I get when I hit a clean passing shot, or the occasions in which I slam-dunked a serve & volley point.
I do not like to play matches. The pressure gets to me and I cannot play as freely as when I am just practicing, training. But give me on hour of just free hitting, and it is the best feeling in the world.
I remember the very first time my brother put a racquet in my hand. It was automatic, instantaneous, and, of course, I am a mediocre playing, at best (in the real meaning of the word). It is a feeling that only comes to me when I have my racquet with me or when I am skiing, the sole other sport that gives me this feeling.
So, let's assume that indeed Nick loves the sport, but only when he practices. How many people can actually watch him do that? Get in my Lear Jet, fly to Australia and watch him enjoy the sport? Very few. Instead, what we get is the best player Australia saying out load he does not miss the sport.
Thought experiment: you love your wife/husband. In the privacy of your home, you treat him/her like indeed the love of your life. In public you openly state you don't miss him/her. How would that make him/her feel?
I completely love to watch him play. He is right there with Roger, Marcelo Rios, Johnny Mac and Henri Laconte in the talent department: he is unbelievable. But then he does all the other things and, how difficult it is to be a fan. So I gave up.
And if he does not miss tennis, then retire. Let's see how much tennis misses him.

by Liamvalid

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:11 pm My very first blog in TAT1.0 was about how much I love this sport. About all the little nuances of it, the amazing feeling I get when I hit a clean passing shot, or the occasions in which I slam-dunked a serve & volley point.
I do not like to play matches. The pressure gets to me and I cannot play as freely as when I am just practicing, training. But give me on hour of just free hitting, and it is the best feeling in the world.
I remember the very first time my brother put a racquet in my hand. It was automatic, instantaneous, and, of course, I am a mediocre playing, at best (in the real meaning of the word). It is a feeling that only comes to me when I have my racquet with me or when I am skiing, the sole other sport that gives me this feeling.
So, let's assume that indeed Nick loves the sport, but only when he practices. How many people can actually watch him do that? Get in my Lear Jet, fly to Australia and watch him enjoy the sport? Very few. Instead, what we get is the best player Australia saying out load he does not miss the sport.
Thought experiment: you love your wife/husband. In the privacy of your home, you treat him/her like indeed the love of your life. In public you openly state you don't miss him/her. How would that make him/her feel?
I completely love to watch him play. He is right there with Roger, Marcelo Rios, Johnny Mac and Henri Laconte in the talent department: he is unbelievable. But then he does all the other things and, how difficult it is to be a fan. So I gave up.
And if he does not miss tennis, then retire. Let's see how much tennis misses him.

I was enamoured with him after the first time I saw him play (beating Nadal at Wimbledon) and was all too happy to make excuses for his behaviour for the first few years. But nowadays I’d rather see someone take his spot in the draw who deserves it on merit and professionalism, even if their tennis isn’t as exciting to watch

by Suliso Karolina Pliskova in Melbourne (I assume)

by mmmm8

Deuce wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:31 am I'd like to hear from people who've seen Nick on a practice court. Did it look like he was having a blast, or did he look unhappy and like he didn't want to be there?

Having seen a player once or twice on a practice court doesn't convey how they really feel. Everyone has good days and bad days. I've seen a LOT of Nadal in practice, press conferences, and off court, and there are moments based on which I could have sworn he despises his job, which we know is not true.

I agree we can't always rely on what people say but Kyrgios has said it enough times that we have to at least try to take him at his word.

by Deuce

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:59 pm Having seen a player once or twice on a practice court doesn't convey how they really feel. Everyone has good days and bad days. I've seen a LOT of Nadal in practice, press conferences, and off court, and there are moments based on which I could have sworn he despises his job, which we know is not true.

I agree we can't always rely on what people say but Kyrgios has said it enough times that we have to at least try to take him at his word.

^Nick is known for having a blast on the practice court, and I think it is a very accurate indication of his true perspective on tennis. On the practice court, he's like a kid in a candy store. If any other player were to behave as Nick does on the practice court, everyone would say that it's incredibly obvious that this person absolutely loves the game of tennis. No question.

As far as taking Nick at his word goes... Again - how many times has he said that he "doesn't care" about tennis, about the fans, about his peers, etc.? He has said that he "doesn't care" dozens upon dozens of times. Yet he's still there. He has more than enough money to live comfortably the rest of his life. Yet he's still on the tour. Actions speak much louder than words. You don't stay in the same place if you don't care or if it's not more of a positive than a negative.

And he still gets upset with umpires, fans, peers, administrators, etc.
One doesn't become upset if one truly doesn't care. His words say that he doesn't care - but his actions repeatedly demonstrate that he does very much care. He cares too much for him to handle. I assess people on their actions, not on their mere words. I can SAY I'm the Pope. It doesn't make me the Pope.
Taking someone as complex as Nick at his word is an exercize in futility, as he constantly contradicts himself. One cannot assess someone like that in as simple a manner as taking him at his word. The situation, and the individual in question, are far, far more complex than that.

It's like the 11 year old kid in the school yard who other kids are teasing and calling him names for whatever reason. And the kid being teased constantly claims that he "doesn't care" about the teasing, and that it doesn't bother him. Then he goes home and cries because of the teasing. Of course he cares - but he wants to show a 'brave front', in the hopes that it will fool people - because he is too insecure to expose his vulnerability in showing the real effects of the teasing.

With Nick, his tantrums are the equivalent of the 11 year old going home and crying. It's an obvious sign that he does very much care. The only difference between him and the 11 year old kid is that Nick's caring is done in public - because he can't help himself. He erupts in the heat of the moment because he cares so much.
Then, after doing that, he feels he must double his efforts to show his indifference - which is nothing more than an emotional self-protection -, and so he'll not run for shots, tank sets or matches, etc. - all of which gives the well calculated message that he "doesn't care", and he'll exclaim publicly that he "doesn't care".

The reason for all of this - the root of his behaviour - is that he's a very insecure individual. As such, he is terrified of failure. The thing he fears most is trying his best and failing. THAT'S the reason he claims so often to 'not care' about tennis - and why he often does not try his best. It's because he does not want people to see him as a failure.
He knows he has enormous natural ability for the game - in terms of natural talent, he's in the same league as the players ponchi mentioned (and I would add Hischam Arazi to that list - that guy could hit any shot from anywhere on the court, but was mentally much weaker than his peers). And so if he fails with that degree of natural talent, everyone would question his talent, his mental strength, etc. And, because he is so insecure, that would devastate him, and he would feel he's a failure. And so he has decided to take control of that - he has created an image for himself as a player who "doesn't care", and, as such, who doesn't try his best. This way, when he loses, the inherent reason he lost the match is not because he's not good enough, but rather, it's because he didn't try his best - because he 'doesn't care'. And in this scenario, no-one can say that he's a failure or that he's not good enough.

The key (to him) is that he is in control of how he is perceived by people. He prefers being viewed as someone who 'doesn't care', because he knows that's not true. He knows how much he cares. But if he tried his best and failed, and then was viewed as a failure, that would hurt him tremendously because he would believe it.

Just like the 11 year old kid in the schoolyard, Nick desperately wants to be liked. And, also like the kid in the schoolyard, Nick is very insecure. And so if he tries his best and fails, and is not liked, he will be devastated - because he will be disliked based on who he really is. But if he says he "doesn't care" and doesn't try his best, and is disliked because of that, it won't really hurt him, because he knows that the persona that the people dislike is a fake persona that he fabricated, and not the genuine Nick.

Don't get me wrong - I don't like his behaviour. But, perhaps because of my history in working with troubled people, rather than merely look at the surface of Nick's behaviour and condemn it, I delve deeper and attempt to understand the reasons for his behaviour. He is not a simple man - he's very complicated. And rather troubled.

One cannot have a meaningful perspective about a complex enigma like Kyrgios without entering into a degree of psychological analysis - because he is always full of what seem to be contradictions. But it's all a well-planned design with him - one which is a rather desperate attempt to protect himself from emotional injury.

by ti-amie It was Sloane Stephens behavior on a practice court that turned me against her. She was on the court next to Serena, Patrick and Oracene. She came out, side eyed the Williams team, all of whom were ignoring her because they were working on something, hit a ball or two, and left. She wasn't there half an hour.

Practice court behavior can tell you a lot about a player.

by JazzNU Or it can tell you very little.

by ponchi101 And this is not the one time he has said or done something detrimental to tennis.
Insulting Donna Vecic on a totally unprovoked occasion.
Tanking games and sets.
Some points he has played against some players in which he is either insulting the other player, disrespecting the sport, or both.
What Liam said above: Nick calling Novak a tool really takes some chutzpah.
Calling Roland Garros "a joke" (really? The premier clay tournament in the world is a joke?)
He is the new Marcelo Rios. A preternatural talent, being wasted, and offering more downside to tennis than upside.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 01, 2021 3:22 pm And this is not the one time he has said or done something detrimental to tennis.
Insulting Donna Vecic on a totally unprovoked occasion.
Tanking games and sets.
Some points he has played against some players in which he is either insulting the other player, disrespecting the sport, or both.
What Liam said above: Nick calling Novak a tool really takes some chutzpah.
Calling Roland Garros "a joke" (really? The premier clay tournament in the world is a joke?)
He is the new Marcelo Rios. A preternatural talent, being wasted, and offering more downside to tennis than upside.

While I agree that he is most certainly wasting his very natural tennis talent (he is definitely his own worst enemy), I disagree that he is more negative for the game than positive solely on the grounds that tennis - like any sport - needs villains. I believe that you'll agree that tennis was never more exciting than in the '70s and '80s, when Nastase, Connors, McEnroe, etc. were at their peak. The playing styles were also more contrasting back then - and that aids my point: A serve-and-volleyer vs. a baseline player is interesting because of the contrast in styles. It's more interesting and enjoyable than watching two players of the same playing style play each other. Similarly, a contrast in personalities also makes the sport more interesting than if all the players have essentially the same likable personality.

Again, this is not condoning - or even excusing - Kyrgios's behaviour... several things that he's said and done are rather despicable (though still not on the level of Nastase, for example). But that behaviour makes it interesting, as it creates contrasts in personality between him and others. When he drills a Nadal with a ball in the chest, and then says he did it deliberately, and would do it at every opportunity, it makes every subsequent match between the two players more interesting - because there is not only the 'war' of the shot against shot, but also the 'war' of the personality against personality.

All that said, Nick does seem to get along quite well with several of his fellow pro players. So he must have some positive personality qualities, as well.

by ponchi101 I hope that we did not get misconstrued about the quality of his game. The strokes are incredible, we can all agree.
But remember, as you are bringing the old Baddies, how stupid it was to get McEnroe angry? That used to mean 6-0, Mac. Nastase would start toying with you (unless you were Borg), playing tennis of unbelievable level. Getting Connors angry meant that it became personal, and to the death.
Remember Connors losing to Borg at Wimbledon 1981, after leading two sets to love? The story is that he spent the night walking London, in the rain, because he was so furious.
That is the difference. All those bad guys? Never tanked. Never insulted "the sport" (their behavior could be seen as an insult, but the line is clear). Even a guy that was as gifted but was also a head case gave you a clearer hint. Laconte, after a few bad matches, was asked if he needed to stop playing for a while. Deadly serious, he said: "Yes, I have to. I need to put the racquet down for three, maybe even four days".
Hate them? Sure, you were allowed to. Doubt their commitment and love for the sport? Foolish.

by Deuce All that you write is true.
But does it really matter what the villain does, as long as he or she is a villain, and adds that contrast? I feel that contrast is good for the game, no matter what the nature or origin of the contrast. This is true of any sport, be it an individual or a team sport. It's the classic human attraction to 'good vs. evil' - and that makes every match/game more compelling.

by ponchi101 We are changing subjects.
I don't mind if he is going to be the villain.
But if he is going to be The Joker, then I want him to really want to kill Batman, or make a fool of him (Batman). I don't want him to sort or, kind of, maybe be interested in killing Batman.
And, we will not get the great morality plays of the 70's and 80's if he (Kyrgios) does not reach the semis of the slam because, you know, he really did not feel like playing during that winnable 1st rounder against Cristian Garin.

by Deuce But he's still really the only villain we have in tennis today. And it's a role he has created and accepted voluntarily.
I see what you're saying, but who are we to tell him exactly how he should behave, or exactly what kind of villain he should be?
We should just be happy ( ) that he has emerged as a villain, because tennis today, with it's monotonous playing style, would be less interesting without him.

by ponchi101 One of the things that surprised me with frequency at TAT1.0 (and now here) was when somebody would say "who are we to tell Player X how to behave? Who are we to say that Player Y is doing something wrong".
It always cracked me up in the sense that it sort of implies that these players are actually reading us. "Oh, new member, THE_Nkyrgios wants activation" (and TOG goes and approves it).
Who are we to tell players how they should behave? We are the entities that eventually buy a ticket for a stadium, turn on the TV to watch their match (and then leave it on and go do something else) and get the ratings going up, meaning their endorsements go up.
We are the small people that turn up to watch Coriolanus slaughter somebody else, even though Coriolanus despises us.

And then, coming back to our Coriolanus of today, Nick pulls over and assists two elderly people change their flat. And we are left puzzled, wondering how he can be this cool on a trivial thing, and then claim he does not miss this sport that we love.
I am so ready to change the name of this forum to RAMBLE About Tennis. For the sake of accuracy.
(And, not surprisingly, rat.com is taken, but for sale. For a cool $240,000. Sure, makes sense).

by Deuce Of course fans have every right to complain about a player, and to criticize, as well as praise.
But, in the context of a villain, I'm just saying that we should be happy to have someone who accepts the role of villain today. And, as such, we should allow him to dictate what his villainous behaviour will be.

by the Moz Deuce you make some great points about Nick the villain and your comparisons to Nastase Connors McEnroe. Yes, all four are villains, super talented and they add value to tennis. But where Nick loses out is he doesn't commit to tennis like the other 3. He doesn't win like the other 3. He certainly isn't a former world number 1 grand slam winning champion like the other 3. And never will be. And that's the problem. He has to offer more than being a villain. He doesn't want practice let alone actually play a real match. Is he even really a tennis player at this point??

by ponchi101 Story about Connors, to show some differences:
Borg had won RG and W, and was going for the USO. Had he won it, that would have left him only the Aussie to get a Grand Slam. Borg had by then stopped going to Australia (it was that dreadful December slot in those days) and so had Connors. Asked about whether he would also go to Australia if Borg would go, Connors deadpanned: "I will chase him to the end of the world".
His meaning was not that he would go to Australia to PLAY the tournament, he would go to Australia to STOP Borg.
There's a villain. He simply could not swallow Borg having a Slam, while he had been denied his chance (in '74) to get his.

by ti-amie

by ti-amie

by JazzNU Do you guys want no content on Sascha? I have no idea. So, here's a brother Zverev moment.

by JazzNU

by dmforever

JazzNU wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:17 am

She is THE BEST!!! Thanks for the post.

Kevin

by Suliso Konta



Siniakova

by ti-amie Is that the best Konta has looked in almost ever?

by the Moz

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 7:23 pm Is that the best Konta has looked in almost ever?

Wearing jeans and a black top in a back alley? Yes, it is.

by ponchi101 But it was a low bar to begin with.
Her jeans are too high on her hips. And remember, I am the guy that dies for a girl in jeans and a T-shirt.

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 7:25 pm But it was a low bar to begin with.
Her jeans are too high on her hips. And remember, I am the guy that dies for a girl in jeans and a T-shirt.

"Mom jeans" are back in style. Ya gotta keep up my friend.

by ponchi101 I do have my GF as a witness. I have been saying for years now that I will die a happy man, when the time comes. Because I will be so outdated by then...

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 7:25 pm But it was a low bar to begin with.
Her jeans are too high on her hips. And remember, I am the guy that dies for a girl in jeans and a T-shirt.

I don't think this is her best photo in recent months, I like maybe 2 others more. Her Radley photos tend to be well done in particular. But I have to object to calling out these jeans. Don't make me post another recent photo of her in another pair of jeans. Trust me, these look amazing in comparison.

by skatingfan If Konta just untucked the top from the mom jeans it would be a really great look, for her.

by ti-amie I've seen this modeled by both Halep and here Svitolina. Did Nike change their design team? This looks decent.

by ponchi101 I actually like it. Let's see what they do for Naomi, as she is wearing her own collection.

by mmmm8

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:49 pm I actually like it. Let's see what they do for Naomi, as she is wearing her own collection.

What she's wearing is... ok I guess. It doesn't fit her well and she has leggings on (it's cold in Melbourne), making the skirt look our of place and giving Naomi kind of a muffin top.

by ti-amie

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 12:36 am

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:49 pm I actually like it. Let's see what they do for Naomi, as she is wearing her own collection.

What she's wearing is... ok I guess. It doesn't fit her well and she has leggings on (it's cold in Melbourne), making the skirt look our of place and giving Naomi kind of a muffin top.

It's awful

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:38 pm I've seen this modeled by both Halep and here Svitolina. Did Nike change their design team? This looks decent.

If I had to guess, I don't think it's a change. I think the old team that used to deliver consistently good, but not flashy and talked about, designs are being listened to a bit more in the last few months after several busts in the last two years that have gotten relentlessly mocked.

by JTContinental I will never forget the year of 100 Grecian goddesses at Wimbledon

by JazzNU Remember we had the Nike Melbourne designs last year that were tragic. And awkward. And included a full blue cheetah tracksuit or something on Grigor.

by mmmm8

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 1:13 am It's awful

Haha, fair enough. I think the individual pieces aren't awful, but put together and on Naomi, yes.

by Deuce And then there's whatever in hell Serena is wearing.
I can certainly do without seeing this current version of the 'catsuit'.

Give me basic clothes any day over all of this desperate attention seeking stuff.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 7:38 pm I've seen this modeled by both Halep and here Svitolina. Did Nike change their design team? This looks decent.

So, I definitely like this one from Nike. Funny that they went to the trouble of trying out some Tik Tok/Instagram marketing and didn't make full use of it. Even though I love the skirt on this, the back is probably my favorite, could've easily been shown in a video but wasn't.

This entire line is not a win though. Taylor Fritz is exhibit A. And I'm iffy on the tanish color in the women's skits as well, seems possibly hit or miss depending on who is wearing it.

by ponchi101 Woke up to catch the last part of the Shapo/Sinner match, and I thought it was funny that Shapo was wearing pajamas.
That is one ugly color.

by Liamvalid I couldn’t care less what Serena wears, as long as she wins

by atlpam I actually liked Serena's look. With regards to Naomi, the skirt seemed superfluous - would have looked better without it.

by meganfernandez Regardless of how you feel about Kyrgios, you might find his Big 4 analysis interesting. I did.

by JazzNU

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:05 pm Regardless of how you feel about Kyrgios, you might find his Big 4 analysis interesting. I did.

This rings rather hollow, so the only thing I find interesting here is that Kyrgios blinked, likely at the request of I would guess Tennis Australia, and agreed to give these comments to help de-escalate the situation as it's the last thing they really need this week and it was getting more contentious by the day. Release this "interview" where Nick's complimentary, but also gets to pump himself up as if he's deserving of being in the same breath as them, and you likely head off any more back and forth, all eyes back on court.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 2:33 pm Woke up to catch the last part of the Shapo/Sinner match, and I thought it was funny that Shapo was wearing pajamas.
That is one ugly color.

^ Give the guy a break - he came to the court right after having performed a complicated 4 hour appendectomy.

by meganfernandez Baby Sunshine on the way

by Suliso Naomi and her boyfriend

by Ribbons

JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon Feb 08, 2021 1:44 am Remember we had the Nike Melbourne designs last year that were tragic. And awkward. And included a full blue cheetah tracksuit or something on Grigor.

Wow.

by ti-amie

Woz posted this pic on her IG. As soon as I saw it - no abs on a woman who always had them - I thought that she was pregnant.

Congratulations.

by meganfernandez They're cute. I don't know hip hop enough to know how much of a star Cordae is. I know he's successful - would any hip hop fan know him?

Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:58 pm Naomi and her boyfriend

by JazzNU

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:39 pm They're cute. I don't know hip hop enough to know how much of a star Cordae is. I know he's successful - would any hip hop fan know him?

There is not just one kind of hip hop fan. Would everyone know him? No. Would most? Yes. The younger you are, the more likely you are to know him.

by JazzNU In the latest edition of "I Can't Recognize Elina Svitolina" I suggest all with IG accounts check out her Stories sometime in the next 6 hours. She has signed a sponsorship deal with Flowbank (looks to be a Swiss bank) and they shot her promos. She has up the videos of the shoot in her Stories and goodness I would've never recognized her, wouldn't believe it was her outside of the back and side shots had she not posted this to her account. She looks great, better than I think of her looking.

https://www.instagram.com/elisvitolina/

by meganfernandez

JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:37 pm In the latest edition of "I Can't Recognize Elina Svitolina" I suggest all with IG accounts check out her Stories sometime in the next 6 hours. She has signed a sponsorship deal with Flowbank (looks to be a Swiss bank) and they shot her promos. She has up the videos of the shoot in her Stories and goodness I would've never recognized her, wouldn't believe it was her outside of the back and side shots had she not posted this to her account. She looks great, better than I think of her looking.

https://www.instagram.com/elisvitolina/

Oh, I saw those earlier! It is so weird how she can look totally different from angle to angle.

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:37 pm In the latest edition of "I Can't Recognize Elina Svitolina" I suggest all with IG accounts check out her Stories sometime in the next 6 hours. She has signed a sponsorship deal with Flowbank (looks to be a Swiss bank) and they shot her promos. She has up the videos of the shoot in her Stories and goodness I would've never recognized her, wouldn't believe it was her outside of the back and side shots had she not posted this to her account. She looks great, better than I think of her looking.

https://www.instagram.com/elisvitolina/

That is truly a Not-Elina oh yes it is Elina promo. The woman is a chameleon.

by skatingfan

by ti-amie

by JazzNU While the dog is cute and I'm sure she was instantly smitten, this is alluding to Alex de Minaur, and that's his hat she's wearing. Let's hope for her sake dating a Spanish Aussie player works out better than dating the American ones did. Already feels like an upgrade imo.

by ponchi101 I know basically nothing about Deminaur. Which is good. It means he is not making news, good or bad.

by Suliso Kontaveit



Ostapenko



Diyas

by ponchi101 Thank you, Annet, thank you. My crush for you is over.

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:42 pm Thank you, Annet, thank you. My crush for you is over.

Because the shoes? This is trendy these days.

by Ribbons

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:45 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:42 pm Thank you, Annet, thank you. My crush for you is over.

Because the shoes? This is trendy these days.

I was going to say, everything from the ankles up seemed to fit your no-makeup-and-plain-tee-is-more-attractive criteria . . . (though the purse maybe isn't casual/carefree enough? but I'm a style snob)

by Ribbons Re De Minaur - I think some goofball videos have made the rounds, like this one:

by ponchi101

Ribbons wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:58 pm ...

Because the shoes? This is trendy these days.

I was going to say, everything from the ankles up seemed to fit your no-makeup-and-plain-tee-is-more-attractive criteria . . . (though the purse maybe isn't casual/carefree enough? but I'm a style snob)

Yes. Whatever she is wearing on her feet should simply be sold in the contraceptives aisle.
Man, am I becoming transparent (sure, the rest of the ensemble is fine. But an old man has his fetishes and feet and hands are mine... )

by dave g

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:45 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:42 pm Thank you, Annet, thank you. My crush for you is over.

Because the shoes? This is trendy these days.

They look like bedroom slippers.

by skatingfan

dave g wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:39 pm They look like bedroom slippers.

My first thought was something you get at a hospital.

by meganfernandez

dave g wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:39 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:45 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:42 pm Thank you, Annet, thank you. My crush for you is over.

Because the shoes? This is trendy these days.

They look like bedroom slippers.

Several people said that on her Instagram post. I like them. If I had those legs, I'd wear them. They're fun. Nice contrast to a basic outfit. But they're not for everyone.

by JazzNU I'm not a big fan of the slipper shoe trend, but I can't be mad at it either. Try an Ugg slipper and see how heavenly it feels on your foot.

Also, I have no idea what she was doing that night. I'm all for this shoe if it's post pedicure, they are perfect for that.

by ti-amie

Ribbons wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:58 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:45 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:42 pm Thank you, Annet, thank you. My crush for you is over.

Because the shoes? This is trendy these days.

I was going to say, everything from the ankles up seemed to fit your no-makeup-and-plain-tee-is-more-attractive criteria . . . (though the purse maybe isn't casual/carefree enough? but I'm a style snob)

I've never been a fan of wearing your slippers outside. I was so glad that those Ugg outdoor slippers that were in a couple of years ago went away.

by ti-amie And yes Aliona, we know you can afford that Louis Vuitton outfit. It's just kind of gauche to wear all the pieces together. I don't know if she's wearing pants or sweats but I'd say the outfit cost around $4k US after taking a quick run through their ready to wear stuff online.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 7:49 pm And yes Aliona, we know you can afford that Louis Vuitton outfit. It's just kind of gauche to wear all the pieces together. I don't know if she's wearing pants or sweats but I'd say the outfit cost around $4k US after taking a quick run through their ready to wear stuff online.

Kinda feel like we're at the stage where I'd suggest she start saving her money unless she's doing great with sponsorships in Latvia. Didn't even realize she was in Australia.

And FWIW, pretty sure this look is completely intentional by Louis Vuitton and that's either a short jumpsuit or a dress. In addition to the tie in the bottom center of the top portion that appears to connect the two parts together visually, if you look at the shirt pocket, it has the large symbol pattern that corresponds with the bottom half pattern. It's a lot for the eye to take in. And not for nothing, but she'd sell this look a heck of a lot more if she did something more than that with her hair.

by atlpam

JazzNU wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 6:24 pm I'm not a big fan of the slipper shoe trend, but I can't be mad at it either. Try an Ugg slipper and see how heavenly it feels on your foot.

Also, I have no idea what she was doing that night. I'm all for this shoe if it's post pedicure, they are perfect for that.

Pedicure was my first thought when I saw this.

by JazzNU A message from Bianca. Clearly not an easy year for her.

by JazzNU Johanna Konta in Melbourne. Looking like the injury she sustained in her match wasn't as bad as she was first talking about it being.

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:13 pm Johanna Konta in Melbourne. Looking like the injury she sustained in her match wasn't as bad as she was first talking about it being.

wow. I had no idea Konta was in that Missy Elliot video where Missy wore garbage bags. Ya never know. /s

by JazzNU I really don't care for Naomi's kit this time around. But I also thought it was some kind of lace overlay pattern and she posted photos recently and I thought the closer look was helpful. Don't like it any more, actually might like it even less, but I also know they weren't trying for lace.

by ponchi101 I also don't like it too much, but what is it? Camouflage diver?

by JazzNU I have no idea. But if I had to guess, some abstract design inspired by the area, drawing on the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef. Many of these designs for the Aussie Open tend to be symbolic in some way of the tournament, but in the past at least, that doesn't necessarily mean Melbourne, but Australia as a whole.

by ti-amie

by Ribbons Nicole Gibbs just announced her retirement.

by ponchi101 I don't recall ever watching one of her matches, being limited to the miraculous ESPN broadcast of a women's match.
Wish her well.

by Ribbons I don't think I ever saw her on TV either, but I did catch quals in Cincy in 2014 (Gibbs d. Schiavone):

Cincy 2014 by Peg Duthie, on Flickr

by Suliso Kontaveit

by ponchi101 Crush is back on.

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:11 pm Crush is back on.

That is a great shot of her.

by Suliso Ostapenko

by Suliso Svitolina and Monfils couple is apparently no more. How long was it? About two years?

by JazzNU Probably around there. Split appears amicable and mature this time, not like the last one that was clearly caused by a fight. A joint, identical statement. And they didn't scrub their respective accounts. Guess we'll see if this is really just a break or a full breakup.

by Suliso

JazzNU wrote: ↑Sat Feb 20, 2021 9:28 am Probably around there. Split appears amicable and mature this time, not like the last one that was clearly caused by a fight. A joint, identical statement. And they didn't scrub their respective accounts. Guess we'll see if this is really just a break or a full breakup.

Yes, agree on all counts. Not that any of us expected it to be a life long relationship.

by JTContinental Monfinis? Splitolina?

by ponchi101

JTContinental wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:38 am Monfinis? Splitolina?

Post of the tournament

by JazzNU Alona Ostapenko. Pretty sure this is an older photo, but she posted it again recently to wish her mom a Happy Birthday and it's one of the best she's ever taken imo.

by JazzNU Lucas Pouille became a father at the end of January. His daughter's name is Rose.

by JTContinental Gilles Simon is taking and "extended break" from tennis, as he is currently not enjoying it.

by skatingfan

JTContinental wrote: ↑Fri Feb 26, 2021 7:04 pm Gilles Simon is taking and "extended break" from tennis, as he is currently not enjoying it.

After that loss in the first round of the Australian Open it's not surprising.

by ponchi101 At his age and with his style of play, sort of saying farewell.
He can be a very good coach as he reached a very high ranking with such limited weapons. I am sure he can open his own academy in France and be successful there.

by the Moz If Simon could take Cornet et Paire with him that would be much appreciated

by ponchi101 Just imagine Paire with Simon's court savvy.
Heck, imagine Paire with Alize's savvy...

by the Moz Simon is - how shall I put it - rather subdued compared to the brash behaviour of many a French player.

by JazzNU Brand Updates: On TAT 1.0 someone said something like "but how many players have car sponsors? Not many, it's like Roger, Rafa, and Serena who gets those" and I replied, no quite a few have them. Here's a quick update on car sponsors, decided to write this up quickly after noticing a change for Petra. This is not meant to be some exhaustive list of brand ambassadors, just to give people an idea. You see them from time time on their social media, so you come to be familiar with who represents what.


Roger - Mercedes
Serena - Lincoln
Naomi - Nissan
Ash - Jaguar
Dominic - Kia
Angie - Porsche
Sloane - Mercedes
Petra Kvitova - now with Audi, previously with BMW
Bianca - BMW (not sure if she's still with them, but she signed with them in 2019)
Matteo - Peugeot
Heather Watson - Bentley (yes, this is correct)
Diego - Peugeot
Milos- Jaguar
Goffin - now with Volvo, previously with Mercedes
Johanna - Jaguar
Maria Sakkari - Porsche
Daniil - BMW
Kei - Jaguar

by ponchi101 I was the one that thought they were few. Missing:
Novak - also with Peugeot
Rafa - Kia (although back home he drives an Aston Martin)
Simona - Mercedes, only in Romania
It truly amazes me that Naomi is with Nissan, as they own Infinity, their luxury brand.

by JazzNU

The Andy Roddick Foundation focusses on supporting underprivileged children by providing high quality out-of-school learning and enrichment opportunities for families that wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them.

But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation has pivoted to support those same families in new ways over the past year. And last week, when millions in Texas were left without electricity, heat and running water following a devastating winter storm, the Foundation again sprang into action.

You May Also Like: Roddick: ‘We Have To Serve Families That Put Their Faith In Us’
The Andy Roddick Foundation gathered donations from local partners to support more than 100 of the families it serves year-round to help them in the storm’s aftermath. They secured goods to create grocery bags filled with non-perishable items, packs of Richard’s Rainwater, gift cards to Walmart for groceries, gift cards to Torchy’s Tacos, hot meals from Rudy’s BBQ and blankets to stay warm in the cool conditions. This week, the Foundation is distributing insulated sleeping bags.

“The effects of COVID-19, systematic racial injustices and the recent weather storms do not fall evenly across our community. The students and families the Foundation serves have been hardest hit by all of these crises,” Roddick said. “Not only is it the Foundation’s obligation to ensure that these students and families have access to high-quality educational opportunities during normal times, but that obligation increases during unprecedented times, such as these.

“That’s why we pitch in and try to help however possible, from providing assistance to meet basic needs like food and shelter to a text or phone call so they know they're not forgotten. Though this is beyond the scope of our normal focus of providing educational excellence outside the classroom, we will never abandon our families when they need us most.”

Donate To The Family Emergency Fund

The Andy Roddick Foundation’s Family Emergency Fund has raised more than $235,000 since its inception last April. Nearly $10,000 was donated last weekend alone. The Fund has helped support families by supplying them with basic needs, community and educational resources — including for social and emotional health — and at-home learning tools such as tablets.

Separately, Roddick and his wife, Brooklyn Decker helped provide 4,000 tacos to local healthcare workers after the storm.

Another familiar face in the tennis world, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, who promoted the Tennis Masters Cup in Houston in 2003 and 2004, also helped those in need. McIngvale opened up his furniture stores for Texans who needed shelter and food.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/roddick ... ruary-2021

by ponchi101 Andy Roddick

by Suliso Trivia question: which two WTA players besides Serena have won Slams as #1 seeds since 2010 AO?

by the Moz

Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 12:47 am Trivia question: which two WTA players besides Serena have won Slams as #1 seeds since 2010 AO?

Is Halep one of them?

by atlpam

Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 12:47 am Trivia question: which two WTA players besides Serena have won Slams as #1 seeds since 2010 AO?

Sharapova?

by ponchi101 I am tempted to say this is a trick question and the answer is none.
But yes: Sharapova or Halep. How about Wozniacki? She was seeded pretty high at her Aussie win.

by skatingfan Halep - French Open - Azarenka - Australian Open

by Suliso Wozniacki was seeded #2 and beat #1 Halep in the final. Halep would have been an easy guess, Azarenka not so much. Below is a video which precipitated this trivia question.

by Suliso In Lyon tournament thread Ti-Amie mentioned Clara Tauson (18) and her win over #1 seed Alexandrova. Tauson is a 2019 AO junior champion and fomer junior #1. Tall and powerful player - clearly a significant prospect. What is probably less known so far even on a forum like this is that Denmark has some hope on the men's side as well. Holger Noedskov Rune (17) is 2019 RG junior champion and also former junior #1. He'll make his ATP tour debut tomorrow in Buenos Aires against Albert Ramos Vinolas.

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Feb 28, 2021 10:44 am Wozniacki was seeded #2 and beat #1 Halep in the final. Halep would have been an easy guess, Azarenka not so much. Below is a video which precipitated this trivia question.

If Azarenka's was in 2013, i could see that - she would have had AO winner's point and US Open finalist points on her ranking. I think I would have guessed that if I had seen this. I looked up the rest of her 2012 figuring she had another big title or two, and she did win Doha, Indian Wells, and Beijing and went deep in other big events. She lost four big matches to Serena - Madrid final, Wimbledon semi, Olympics semi, US Open final. Serena had the better year but didn't play enough for the #1 ranking.

by meganfernandez

JazzNU wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 1:01 am Brand Updates: On TAT 1.0 someone said something like "but how many players have car sponsors? Not many, it's like Roger, Rafa, and Serena who gets those" and I replied, no quite a few have them. Here's a quick update on car sponsors, decided to write this up quickly after noticing a change for Petra. This is not meant to be some exhaustive list of brand ambassadors, just to give people an idea. You see them from time time on their social media, so you come to be familiar with who represents what.


Roger - Mercedes
Serena - Lincoln
Naomi - Nissan
Ash - Jaguar
Dominic - Kia
Angie - Porsche
Sloane - Mercedes
Petra Kvitova - now with Audi, previously with BMW
Bianca - BMW (not sure if she's still with them, but she signed with them in 2019)
Matteo - Peugeot
Heather Watson - Bentley (yes, this is correct)
Diego - Peugeot
Milos- Jaguar
Goffin - now with Volvo, previously with Mercedes
Johanna - Jaguar
Maria Sakkari - Porsche
Daniil - BMW
Kei - Jaguar

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 27, 2021 1:40 am I was the one that thought they were few. Missing:
Novak - also with Peugeot
Rafa - Kia (although back home he drives an Aston Martin)
Simona - Mercedes, only in Romania
It truly amazes me that Naomi is with Nissan, as they own Infinity, their luxury brand.

I'm surprised Tesla doesn't sponsor anyone. Wonder if anyone drives an EV. At Cincinnati, top players get their own car to use. Novak had a Tesla the first year he won it. Maybe a local dealership sponsored it.

by Suliso Is Tesla sponsoring any athletes at all? If so I've not noticed... With such a strong fan group and Elon Musk as a salesman they hardly need.

by ponchi101 Tesla is very much the Apple of cars. Their cars are very good but they also operate on a "devotion" method; everything they do is PERFECT and nobody can deny it (the Tesla 3 is a very good car but it comes with some interesting manufacturing problems), according to their buyers. Therefore, Tesla does not need to sponsor anybody. it will be years before any EV brand will reach their status

by ti-amie

by meganfernandez

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:41 pm

Her Tik Tok transition game (the swipe-up arm move is a "transition") is probably better than the one on court.

by Fastbackss Yeah it is. That almost made up for how she made shambles of my Predictions this week.

As an aside, it was the first time I had clicked on media within an embedded tweet. I couldn't get it to stop initially and it kept playing on a loop which, given the lyrics, was amusing

by Suliso Blinding talent and room to grow: Clara Tauson’s on the rise, but not in a rush

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday March 4, 2021



Even when you watch Clara Tauson on television it’s easy to tell that she’s been gifted gobs power from the tennis gods. The sound the ball makes off her strings and the fact that her opponents often seem a quarter-step too slow tell the viewer that story, but it’s not just the Dane’s power that impresses.

Far from one-dimensional, the 18-year-old loves to swoop forward to test her skills at the net. It is this willingness to walk the path less traveled that makes this former junior World No.1 such an enticing talent

“I don't like to be too passive, letting the other person decide,” 18-year-old Tauson told Tennis Now on Wednesday after she blitzed veteran Timea Babos, 6-2, 6-3 to reach her first quarterfinal at Lyon. “I want to be the one deciding everything. Everything in my life I want to be the one deciding what I do.”

Tauson says it wasn’t her father, a former professional ice hockey player in Denmark and her longtime coach, that trained her to play a care-free style of tennis. It came from her own inner fire.

“So it's always been like this and I always had a love for going to the net and doing drop shots and all that,” Tauson says. “I think it's really fun, so the way I have gotten inside [the court during] my matches this week has been really nice."

It may have been nice for Tauson but for her opponents, not so much. She waltzed past top-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round and has yet to drop a set in Lyon ahead of her quarterfinal clash with Camila Giorgi.

It wasn’t nice for Jennifer Brady last October, either. Tauson took out the American on her Grand Slam debut, saving two match points in the process. Just 17 at the time, and in her first year working with coach Olivier Jeunehomme, Tauson wasn’t expecting much from the clash with Brady, but when it was over she emerged a more confident athlete.

“It was an eye opener for me, because Jen Brady is so good,” she said on Wednesday, still seemingly a bit awestruck over that victory. “I was just trying to believe in myself and go in there thinking I could win the match even though I wasn't supposed to. But you know this is such a mental game so if you believe in yourself it can change everything, and it did for me there, I think."

Growing the game with Jeunehomme

What is also changing the game for Tauson is the decision to travel to work with Jeunehomme at the Justine Henin Academy in Belgium. That partnership started in the fall of 2019, and the Dane says she has matured in a lot of aspects thanks to the Belgian.

“I needed something extra and by far Olivier is very much extra when it gets to learning,” Tauson said. “I'm still a young player, so he knows that I'm young and he knows what I need to improve.”

Jeunehomme, who jump-started his career a few decades ago when he played a role in Justine Henin’s coaching team, has most recently coached Dayana Yastremska. He is extremely excited about the potential of his young charge.

"Even if she is tall and can hit big shots, at the same time she can play a lot of other tennis,” he told Tennis Now in a Whatsapp interview. “She's able to use her slice, she's able to go to the net, and I really try to push her to go more and more to the net. She can change the rhythm, she can use different kind of trajectory, topspin, slice, flat, she can open angles, so for me she’s really an all-court player, but still very young, with a lot of things to learn about how to use all the weapons that she has in her game."

It’s about the big picture

Though playing opportunities were limited significantly due to coronavirus in 2020, the pair were able to make progress in all elements of Tauson’s game. Rather than rush Tauson to success, Jeunehomme wants to take time to help her grow her game while she’s still developing. At 139 in the world entering this week, Tauson will crack a career-high next week for sure, but it's not the ranking that matters at the moment.

“We have no rush, I insist that she takes the time now and maybe her career will be longer, because she will have a really complete game,” he said. “It's better to maybe, not necessarily to lose, but maybe take one year more, two more years, and then you arrive with your bucket full of tools and you are ready to play a different kind of tennis and to adapt to different things and propose different things to your opponent.”

Tauson certainly has the strokes to build a well-rounded game around. And the menacing pace of her groundstrokes make it a no-brainer for her to spend more time at the net picking off swing volleys and punching volleys. The fact that she enjoys that style of game and is willing to live with the high-risk nature of her tactics, makes it even better.

Tauson is learning to dial up her focus against top-level pros, and she’s aware of the fact that a momentary lapse can really hurt her chances at the WTA level.

"I think inside of me I level my concentration to [top players] but sometimes of course, I'm going to fall out a little,” she said. “I play a high-risk game. I make mistakes and I'm aware of that, so I just try to circle back to just being present and trying to play my game all the time."

Jeunehomme believes it is all about helping Tauson expand her repertoire, so that she finds solutions for the multitude of problems she’ll inevitably face on tour.

“That's my vision for her, to really try and develop a maximum of capacity and a maximum of tools, in the efficient way, and then develop her creativity to be able to choose the right shot at the right moment because for me it's not often that you see somebody that can play with play with forehand, got to the net to change the rhythm, change the trajectory, this is not often you see something like that, so it's very important to take the time to develop all of that," he says.

The mental game is a "focus"

Jeunehomme is an advocate of balance, and is eager to work with Tauson’s family on creating a harmony between the person and the player. Though he says that most of their collective time is spent working to fine tune Tauson’s technique, tactics and fitness, there is time to help her develop the mental side.

Jeunehomme says he gets support from Tauson’s parents, who were both elite athletes in Denmark, in this department.

"They have a culture of sport and it was very important for me, when I chose to involve myself in the project, because they understand the sport,” he said. “It's the whole family that needs to be involved. Also they are very careful about the balance of Clara. They understand that it's a price to pay but until a certain limit. The health of Clara and the mental balance is very important for them.”

Tauson says the extra work on the psychological elements of the sports has helped her mellow out on the court - never a bad thing.

"He definitely focused a lot on the psychology, and I really needed that, I think,” she said of her coach. “I'm a very explosive person on court, off court I think I'm really relaxed, but on court, when I care about something, I still get outbursts sometimes, but I think it's gotten much better after starting with him.”

She also appears to have gotten to know her own best practices better as a result of the collaboration.

“Just getting to know myself also, because he teaches me a lot of things about how I work,” she said. “When someone says it from outside you learn more from that I think. Definitely it's been a fun transition going from my dad to him because it's two very different kind of personalities, my dad is like me, explosive when he cares about something, and Olivier is very, very calm, even if I do something stupid (she laughs), he's very calm. He teaches me to learn after every single match, it doesn't matter if I win or lose, we always have a good talk after the matches I think, and that's important."

http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2021/Marc ... 99s-o.aspx

by meganfernandez

Fastbackss wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:16 am Yeah it is. That almost made up for how she made shambles of my Predictions this week.

As an aside, it was the first time I had clicked on media within an embedded tweet. I couldn't get it to stop initially and it kept playing on a loop which, given the lyrics, was amusing

Just noticed you're in Michigan. Mind if I ask where? I'm in Indiana. Love Michigan.

by JazzNU Put out by the Rotterdam tournament

by dmforever I wanted to be a penguin!!!! OK, Kei, you ROCKED IT!!!!! That made my day.

Kevin

by meganfernandez

dmforever wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:20 pm I wanted to be a penguin!!!! OK, Kei, you ROCKED IT!!!!! That made my day.

Kevin

Oh my god, that's a good use of the Internet. So cute and unexpected. And Andy has got to stay around in the tennis media after he retires.

Kids can ask things like "first kiss." Journalists can't.

by mmmm8 I'm going to give myself a good laugh thinking about "I wanted to be... a penguin" for a few weeks at least.

Also appreciate his "last night" answer on the crying question.
Very wonderful from NIshikori.

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:28 pm Blinding talent and room to grow: Clara Tauson’s on the rise, but not in a rush



http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2021/Marc ... 99s-o.aspx

I saw Tauson a little as a Junior, when she was ranked #1...

It's nice to see them grow up, mature, and progress. Tauson, Kostyuk, Leylah - the 3 of them rivals in Juniors, now beginning their journeys on the pro tour... Kostyuk was a bit ahead of the other two in terms of reaching the pro level, although she kind of stalled there at first - but now into the top 100... Leylah went on a nice run (which lasted a year and a half because of the pandemic) to get into the top 100 sooner than anyone (including herself) expected. And now Tauson, taking her time, which is fine, is approaching the top 100.
(Of course, the current ranking system is horse dung, but it's the only comparative we have at the moment.)

By the way, Tauson, whom the WTA does not feel is worthy of a photo or age and height listing on their website, beat Giori, and is now into the Semis.

by Suliso We should probably count Gauff in the same generation as well. She's only a year and 3 months younger than Tauson.

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:45 am We should probably count Gauff in the same generation as well. She's only a year and 3 months younger than Tauson.

Yes.
I suppose I didn't include her because I've never seen her play, whereas I've seen the others.
Also, Gauff's ascension has taken a steeper path than that of the others, despite her being the youngest of the group.

by Fastbackss

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:29 pm
Just noticed you're in Michigan. Mind if I ask where? I'm in Indiana. Love Michigan.

Detroit suburb - less than 30 minutes from downtown. Go there a lot.

Been here for nearly 20 years now and love it too. One of the few states I'd live in haha

by Suliso Elina Svitolina

by ponchi101 I did not know her eyes are green. Recognizable in this shot but mainly because the algorithm to recognize her keeps getting better.

by ti-amie

Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:26 pm Elina Svitolina

I knew who this was without question! Maybe the algorithm is working better now.

by JazzNU Sloane update. She's said a few different things over the last few weeks that suggest she's doing a bit better. But she also just did an ask me anything on her Stories, and while plenty were lighthearted, someone asked her what she's reading right now and her current book is "Beating the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief." Yeah. So, understandably, it truly might be awhile before she's in the right headspace.

by JazzNU Some kind of Q&A with Roger on the Doha page. I didn't watch, but given it's a half hour, putting here instead of the tournament thread.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CMEvOJqg4wq/

by JazzNU

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 2:26 pm Elina Svitolina

Another unrecognizable one for me. I thought her hair was lighter. *sigh*

by JazzNU

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:59 am
Another unrecognizable one for me. I thought her hair was lighter. *sigh*

I recognized her fine this time, but I definitely think her hair looks a different shade here. Like I wonder if she got it done and it's not just the light in this photo, because the tips in particular tend to be more blonde and this almost looks like a light brown mixed with a touch of auburn brown.

by skatingfan Post break-up hair colour change?

by Suliso I hope no difficulties identifying these three

by ponchi101 Not a drop of make up combined. Maybe Sloane's eyelashes (and yes, I know she is made up to look like she is not made up :p )
The WTA is pretty "bad" in that aspect. I know Naomi has a contract with Sisheido but apart from that, all the girls are always pretty much without three layers of base. I wonder if they are even a possible endorsee for make-up companies.

by Suliso Is that really bad? I see it more as a plus than minus...

by ponchi101 Bad in the sense that the women do not get to enjoy those endorsements and the money that could come with it. You and I are in agreement that the women of the WTA are a group of very pretty young women that exude a healthy looking beauty image. For us, it is a plus. For any of the girls, who are not being offered a cool $500K from Revlon or Estee Lauder or any other company... well, I guess they could use that extra cash.
Even Garbiñe, no stranger to fashion and certainly a big name in Spain, has no beauty products endorsements (or I can't find them).

by Suliso That's true, albeit was it any different with past top players? Maybe beauty product companies choose actresses instead as their brand ambassadors. Perhaps a better fit albeit I don't really know, just speculating here.

by ponchi101 When Ivanovic did not have a major "beauty product" endorsement, you know that those companies were not looking at the WTA as a source of income.
Will leave it to somebody else here to tell me if Ivanovic had or not such a deal. I don't recall.

by JazzNU There are definitely makeup endorsements among the WTA players besides Naomi. A ton? Don't think so. But several have them for sure, but that doesn't necessarily mean they cake on the makeup at every appearance or in every photo just because they are brand ambassadors for them. Also, the best makeup is that which you don't even know is there many times. I don't always recognize them because some of the brands are country-specific or regional, but they are there. Like Sveta, she's with a company I can't name, because those posts are always in Russian. She'll post most things in both English and Russian, but not things such as that where the audience target is clear.

Sloane is with Estee Lauder.

Petra is with L'Oreal and L'Occitane.

I'm not sure if Revlon sponsors anyone on tour.

Ivanovic was with Shisedo if memory serves. She was definitely with someone, even if that's not the right company, but pretty sure it is.

by mmmm8

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 3:34 pm Not a drop of make up combined. Maybe Sloane's eyelashes (and yes, I know she is made up to look like she is not made up :p )
The WTA is pretty "bad" in that aspect. I know Naomi has a contract with Sisheido but apart from that, all the girls are always pretty much without three layers of base. I wonder if they are even a possible endorsee for make-up companies.

Haha, that's cute. All are wearing mascara. Kontaveit's also wearing lip gloss at least and Kerber has a full face of "natural"-looking makeup. Both Sloane's and Kerber's hair is done, probably professionally.

by ponchi101 You had to ruin it, ah? You had to...

by JazzNU Eyebrow pencil on Anett too. She definitely got them done since Melbourne, they look good.

by mmmm8

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:03 pm You had to ruin it, ah? You had to...

It's possibly my greatest skill.

(Ruining people's illusions, not spotting makeup)

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 3:34 pm Not a drop of make up combined. Maybe Sloane's eyelashes (and yes, I know she is made up to look like she is not made up :p )
The WTA is pretty "bad" in that aspect. I know Naomi has a contract with Sisheido but apart from that, all the girls are always pretty much without three layers of base. I wonder if they are even a possible endorsee for make-up companies.

Pretty sure they are wearing makeup, definitely Angie and probably Sloane. It's just enhancing their natural beauty. It's not heavy makeup. There could also be filters at work.

by meganfernandez

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:38 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 3:34 pm Not a drop of make up combined. Maybe Sloane's eyelashes (and yes, I know she is made up to look like she is not made up :p )
The WTA is pretty "bad" in that aspect. I know Naomi has a contract with Sisheido but apart from that, all the girls are always pretty much without three layers of base. I wonder if they are even a possible endorsee for make-up companies.

Haha, that's cute. All are wearing mascara. Kontaveit's also wearing lip gloss at least and Kerber has a full face of "natural"-looking makeup. Both Sloane's and Kerber's hair is done, probably professionally.

Yep. Interesting that Kontaveit evidently doesn't tan and yet doesn't burn. She should have a sunscreen endorsement for as well as it works on her fair skin.

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 4:02 pm When Ivanovic did not have a major "beauty product" endorsement, you know that those companies were not looking at the WTA as a source of income.
Will leave it to somebody else here to tell me if Ivanovic had or not such a deal. I don't recall.

Surely their agents try. The big agencies know what they're doing. Sharapova was with Avon for just a couple years - but that seems old for her. It does seem like a big missed opportunity.

by Suliso An interview with Clara Tauson from WTA site after her win over Alexandrova last week.

How does it feel to have beaten a player like Ekaterina Alexandrova, who has won more matches indoors than anyone else since 2018?

Tauson: I didn't know that before. I actually called my dad after the match and he said, "What - did you win? She's won so many matches indoors!" But I had hoped that I would be drawn to play either her or Fiona [Ferro, the No.2 seed] because they're two really good players.

Even though opportunities to gain ranking points are harder to come by at the moment, is it more important for you to play better opposition?

Tauson: Yes, I played a lot of tournaments this year, 25Ks - you don't get a lot of points from them even if you win them. I've won two this year [in Fujairah and Altenkirchen]. But I'm still developing my game and I'm still quite young - so I really want to get the experience of playing these kinds of players. Even if I might have lost pretty big, I was still happy getting to play that match.

I love playing the good players. That's where I want to be. There's definitely a gap between the 25Ks and here - you saw today in the match, if you go just five or 10 percent down, two or three games are gone. In 25Ks you maybe get some easy points, and you don't here. So it's good for my concentration to play these matches - I need to get my concentration better for when I hopefully get on this level all the time.

You've only played three WTA main draws, and you've upset a Top 50 player in two of them. Do you think you raise your level against better opposition?

Tauson: It's only the second time I've played a Top 50 player, so I don't have a lot of experience with that - but we can say it's gone well these two times! Going into these matches I just try to play as free as I can and show what I can do.

You beat Jennifer Brady at Roland Garros. A few months later, she reached the Australian Open final. How did it feel to watch that?

Tauson: All my friends texted me - "You beat her, this girl who's in a Grand Slam final!" It was definitely fun watching her. I was happy, because you see you actually have the level to play and win those matches.

I'm not saying I'm gonna be in a Grand Slam final anytime soon, but when you see someone you've beaten do well, you get confidence from that. You think, maybe I could have been there also. ... But I need to get more solid in the whole tournament like her.

You say you love playing good players. Who would you most like to face across the net?

Tauson: I definitely want to play [Simona] Halep one day. I think she's just a champion, she plays 100 percent every tournament she plays and no matter what the score, she's always there. And [Petra] Kvitova also - I love watching her play. I want to feel how her balls are coming, because she just hits so big and I want to play like her.

Would you describe your game as aggressive, then?

Tauson: Definitely. I like to come in the court and finish at net if I have the opportunity - but it's really hard to do that against [WTA] players because they play so good. I would like to be the kind of player who serves really well, plays big shots - like Kvitova. She's not afraid to hit the ball. I really think I can be that type of player.

Last year, we said goodbye to the best Danish player in history, Caroline Wozniacki. Did you had much contact with her growing up, and how important was she for Danish tennis?

Tauson: I played two or three tournaments where she was and we spoke, but she lives in the U.S. so it's not like we got to practice. She was the only one who's really got to the top from Denmark so she was important, of course, but we grew up in two different times. Danish tennis right now is not too huge and I hope I can inspire people to play tennis, because it's a good sport, I think.

What do you like most about tennis, and how did you get started in it?

Tauson: I love that I can decide where I want to play the ball and it's only me who decides if I win or lose. I'm definitely not a team player! Of course there's an opponent you have to beat, but it's me who decides where and how I play the balls. And the tactics also - it's like a board game, but you don't know how the opponent is going to play, because it's so different from player to player. But the individual thing is the best thing for me.

Tennis is the only sport I've ever played. People are actually surprised when I say that, because kids always play a lot of sports, but I've only ever played tennis. My uncle, Michael Tauson, is a former ATP player, so everybody in the family has tried tennis, it's been going on for generations. He was the World No.101 - the worst ranking! If I get to the Top 100 I'll have beaten that.

What do you like to do off court?

Tauson: I train in Belgium with my coach, Olivier Jeunehomme, and all my tennis life is there. But my friends are mostly in Denmark - so I like to Facetime them, or watch Netflix. When I'm not on court or doing fitness I just like to be on the couch. I really like watching crime shows, like The Blacklist - I have an obsession with watching shows like that because they get my mind off things but are still so exciting.

You train at the Justine Henin Academy - have you ever met Henin, and do you have any memories of her as a player? Or is she a bit before your time, as she retired for the first time when you were five years old?

Tauson: Justine is at the academy almost every day watching everyone practice, so we see her quite a lot. She's really down-to-earth and really nice. I remember the first time I came to the academy, she spoke to me like I actually knew her - of course I'd watched her play, so it was a big deal for me just speaking to someone like that. But it's really comfortable talking to her.

I didn't watch her too much growing up. But when I was younger, I used to watch YouTube videos of tennis every day. I think everyone watches the great players and their highlights, so I saw quite a few of her playing against Serena and Venus.

Do you have any specific goals for the 2021 season?

Tauson: Yes, in my mind - but not for anyone else! Last year my goal was to be Top 150. I only played nine tournaments and I reached it. I don't have a goal ranking-wise now - just to play as many WTAs as I can and see how far it goes.

by meganfernandez "He was the World No.101 - the worst ranking! If I get to the Top 100 I'll have beaten that." About her uncle...

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:06 am An interview with Clara Tauson from WTA site after her win over Alexandrova last week.

How does it feel to have beaten a player like Ekaterina Alexandrova, who has won more matches indoors than anyone else since 2018?

Tauson: I didn't know that before. I actually called my dad after the match and he said, "What - did you win? She's won so many matches indoors!" But I had hoped that I would be drawn to play either her or Fiona [Ferro, the No.2 seed] because they're two really good players.

Even though opportunities to gain ranking points are harder to come by at the moment, is it more important for you to play better opposition?

Tauson: Yes, I played a lot of tournaments this year, 25Ks - you don't get a lot of points from them even if you win them. I've won two this year [in Fujairah and Altenkirchen]. But I'm still developing my game and I'm still quite young - so I really want to get the experience of playing these kinds of players. Even if I might have lost pretty big, I was still happy getting to play that match.

I love playing the good players. That's where I want to be. There's definitely a gap between the 25Ks and here - you saw today in the match, if you go just five or 10 percent down, two or three games are gone. In 25Ks you maybe get some easy points, and you don't here. So it's good for my concentration to play these matches - I need to get my concentration better for when I hopefully get on this level all the time.

You've only played three WTA main draws, and you've upset a Top 50 player in two of them. Do you think you raise your level against better opposition?

Tauson: It's only the second time I've played a Top 50 player, so I don't have a lot of experience with that - but we can say it's gone well these two times! Going into these matches I just try to play as free as I can and show what I can do.

You beat Jennifer Brady at Roland Garros. A few months later, she reached the Australian Open final. How did it feel to watch that?

Tauson: All my friends texted me - "You beat her, this girl who's in a Grand Slam final!" It was definitely fun watching her. I was happy, because you see you actually have the level to play and win those matches.

I'm not saying I'm gonna be in a Grand Slam final anytime soon, but when you see someone you've beaten do well, you get confidence from that. You think, maybe I could have been there also. ... But I need to get more solid in the whole tournament like her.

You say you love playing good players. Who would you most like to face across the net?

Tauson: I definitely want to play [Simona] Halep one day. I think she's just a champion, she plays 100 percent every tournament she plays and no matter what the score, she's always there. And [Petra] Kvitova also - I love watching her play. I want to feel how her balls are coming, because she just hits so big and I want to play like her.

Would you describe your game as aggressive, then?

Tauson: Definitely. I like to come in the court and finish at net if I have the opportunity - but it's really hard to do that against [WTA] players because they play so good. I would like to be the kind of player who serves really well, plays big shots - like Kvitova. She's not afraid to hit the ball. I really think I can be that type of player.

Last year, we said goodbye to the best Danish player in history, Caroline Wozniacki. Did you had much contact with her growing up, and how important was she for Danish tennis?

Tauson: I played two or three tournaments where she was and we spoke, but she lives in the U.S. so it's not like we got to practice. She was the only one who's really got to the top from Denmark so she was important, of course, but we grew up in two different times. Danish tennis right now is not too huge and I hope I can inspire people to play tennis, because it's a good sport, I think.

What do you like most about tennis, and how did you get started in it?

Tauson: I love that I can decide where I want to play the ball and it's only me who decides if I win or lose. I'm definitely not a team player! Of course there's an opponent you have to beat, but it's me who decides where and how I play the balls. And the tactics also - it's like a board game, but you don't know how the opponent is going to play, because it's so different from player to player. But the individual thing is the best thing for me.

Tennis is the only sport I've ever played. People are actually surprised when I say that, because kids always play a lot of sports, but I've only ever played tennis. My uncle, Michael Tauson, is a former ATP player, so everybody in the family has tried tennis, it's been going on for generations. He was the World No.101 - the worst ranking! If I get to the Top 100 I'll have beaten that.

What do you like to do off court?

Tauson: I train in Belgium with my coach, Olivier Jeunehomme, and all my tennis life is there. But my friends are mostly in Denmark - so I like to Facetime them, or watch Netflix. When I'm not on court or doing fitness I just like to be on the couch. I really like watching crime shows, like The Blacklist - I have an obsession with watching shows like that because they get my mind off things but are still so exciting.

You train at the Justine Henin Academy - have you ever met Henin, and do you have any memories of her as a player? Or is she a bit before your time, as she retired for the first time when you were five years old?

Tauson: Justine is at the academy almost every day watching everyone practice, so we see her quite a lot. She's really down-to-earth and really nice. I remember the first time I came to the academy, she spoke to me like I actually knew her - of course I'd watched her play, so it was a big deal for me just speaking to someone like that. But it's really comfortable talking to her.

I didn't watch her too much growing up. But when I was younger, I used to watch YouTube videos of tennis every day. I think everyone watches the great players and their highlights, so I saw quite a few of her playing against Serena and Venus.

Do you have any specific goals for the 2021 season?

Tauson: Yes, in my mind - but not for anyone else! Last year my goal was to be Top 150. I only played nine tournaments and I reached it. I don't have a goal ranking-wise now - just to play as many WTAs as I can and see how far it goes.

by meganfernandez Maybe this has already been posted - new couple, Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur.

by Liamvalid

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:06 am An interview with Clara Tauson from WTA site after her win over Alexandrova last week.

How does it feel to have beaten a player like Ekaterina Alexandrova, who has won more matches indoors than anyone else since 2018?

Tauson: I didn't know that before. I actually called my dad after the match and he said, "What - did you win? She's won so many matches indoors!" But I had hoped that I would be drawn to play either her or Fiona [Ferro, the No.2 seed] because they're two really good players.

Even though opportunities to gain ranking points are harder to come by at the moment, is it more important for you to play better opposition?

Tauson: Yes, I played a lot of tournaments this year, 25Ks - you don't get a lot of points from them even if you win them. I've won two this year [in Fujairah and Altenkirchen]. But I'm still developing my game and I'm still quite young - so I really want to get the experience of playing these kinds of players. Even if I might have lost pretty big, I was still happy getting to play that match.

I love playing the good players. That's where I want to be. There's definitely a gap between the 25Ks and here - you saw today in the match, if you go just five or 10 percent down, two or three games are gone. In 25Ks you maybe get some easy points, and you don't here. So it's good for my concentration to play these matches - I need to get my concentration better for when I hopefully get on this level all the time.

You've only played three WTA main draws, and you've upset a Top 50 player in two of them. Do you think you raise your level against better opposition?

Tauson: It's only the second time I've played a Top 50 player, so I don't have a lot of experience with that - but we can say it's gone well these two times! Going into these matches I just try to play as free as I can and show what I can do.

You beat Jennifer Brady at Roland Garros. A few months later, she reached the Australian Open final. How did it feel to watch that?

Tauson: All my friends texted me - "You beat her, this girl who's in a Grand Slam final!" It was definitely fun watching her. I was happy, because you see you actually have the level to play and win those matches.

I'm not saying I'm gonna be in a Grand Slam final anytime soon, but when you see someone you've beaten do well, you get confidence from that. You think, maybe I could have been there also. ... But I need to get more solid in the whole tournament like her.

You say you love playing good players. Who would you most like to face across the net?

Tauson: I definitely want to play [Simona] Halep one day. I think she's just a champion, she plays 100 percent every tournament she plays and no matter what the score, she's always there. And [Petra] Kvitova also - I love watching her play. I want to feel how her balls are coming, because she just hits so big and I want to play like her.

Would you describe your game as aggressive, then?

Tauson: Definitely. I like to come in the court and finish at net if I have the opportunity - but it's really hard to do that against [WTA] players because they play so good. I would like to be the kind of player who serves really well, plays big shots - like Kvitova. She's not afraid to hit the ball. I really think I can be that type of player.

Last year, we said goodbye to the best Danish player in history, Caroline Wozniacki. Did you had much contact with her growing up, and how important was she for Danish tennis?

Tauson: I played two or three tournaments where she was and we spoke, but she lives in the U.S. so it's not like we got to practice. She was the only one who's really got to the top from Denmark so she was important, of course, but we grew up in two different times. Danish tennis right now is not too huge and I hope I can inspire people to play tennis, because it's a good sport, I think.

What do you like most about tennis, and how did you get started in it?

Tauson: I love that I can decide where I want to play the ball and it's only me who decides if I win or lose. I'm definitely not a team player! Of course there's an opponent you have to beat, but it's me who decides where and how I play the balls. And the tactics also - it's like a board game, but you don't know how the opponent is going to play, because it's so different from player to player. But the individual thing is the best thing for me.

Tennis is the only sport I've ever played. People are actually surprised when I say that, because kids always play a lot of sports, but I've only ever played tennis. My uncle, Michael Tauson, is a former ATP player, so everybody in the family has tried tennis, it's been going on for generations. He was the World No.101 - the worst ranking! If I get to the Top 100 I'll have beaten that.

What do you like to do off court?

Tauson: I train in Belgium with my coach, Olivier Jeunehomme, and all my tennis life is there. But my friends are mostly in Denmark - so I like to Facetime them, or watch Netflix. When I'm not on court or doing fitness I just like to be on the couch. I really like watching crime shows, like The Blacklist - I have an obsession with watching shows like that because they get my mind off things but are still so exciting.

You train at the Justine Henin Academy - have you ever met Henin, and do you have any memories of her as a player? Or is she a bit before your time, as she retired for the first time when you were five years old?

Tauson: Justine is at the academy almost every day watching everyone practice, so we see her quite a lot. She's really down-to-earth and really nice. I remember the first time I came to the academy, she spoke to me like I actually knew her - of course I'd watched her play, so it was a big deal for me just speaking to someone like that. But it's really comfortable talking to her.

I didn't watch her too much growing up. But when I was younger, I used to watch YouTube videos of tennis every day. I think everyone watches the great players and their highlights, so I saw quite a few of her playing against Serena and Venus.

Do you have any specific goals for the 2021 season?

Tauson: Yes, in my mind - but not for anyone else! Last year my goal was to be Top 150. I only played nine tournaments and I reached it. I don't have a goal ranking-wise now - just to play as many WTAs as I can and see how far it goes.

I’m a bit mad at the father for not at least checking live scores during the match. She shouldn’t have had to call him for him to know whether she won or not in 2021!

by ponchi101 Parents get nervous. Sampras' parents famously never went to his matches because it was too much for them. When he won the USO in 1990, his sister Stella went down from her room to tell them Pete had won; they were too nervous even to watch it on TV.
A bit extreme, I agree, but also gives her the message that it is her life; he is not living his athletic dreams vicariously through her.

by JazzNU

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 5:35 pm Maybe this has already been posted - new couple, Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur.

Not posted. This appears to be their Insta official announcement. But also, not really a new couple. They've been together for months and it's been known, just not as obviously stated as this. Given that TV commentators were even mentioning it during the Aussie Open, it's good they finally put something like this out.

by Liamvalid Bonaur?

by meganfernandez

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 7:48 pmBonaur?

Sounds like Bon Iver.

Shemon? Like Demon, his nickname, but She-mon... Not clicking...

by Liamvalid

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 7:52 pm

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 7:48 pmBonaur?

Sounds like Bon Iver.

Shemon? Like Demon, his nickname, but She-mon... Not clicking...

In my accent, it sounds like boner, which is why I found it funny

by JazzNU

by ptmcmahon

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:48 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 3:34 pm Not a drop of make up combined. Maybe Sloane's eyelashes (and yes, I know she is made up to look like she is not made up :p )
The WTA is pretty "bad" in that aspect. I know Naomi has a contract with Sisheido but apart from that, all the girls are always pretty much without three layers of base. I wonder if they are even a possible endorsee for make-up companies.

Pretty sure they are wearing makeup, definitely Angie and probably Sloane. It's just enhancing their natural beauty. It's not heavy makeup. There could also be filters at work.

Same thing I thought...no way Angie isn't wearing any makeup in that picture. Not that I disagree with the thought of course.

by meganfernandez

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 8:00 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 7:52 pm

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 7:48 pmBonaur?

Sounds like Bon Iver.

Shemon? Like Demon, his nickname, but She-mon... Not clicking...

In my accent, it sounds like boner, which is why I found it funny

Well, I'm definitely calling them Boner from now on.

by Suliso

by ti-amie

by meganfernandez Dying

by Suliso An interview (Google translated) with the main sponsor of Clara Tauson.

Paid Clara five years in advance

When the rich man Lars Seier Christensen in May 2019 chose to become a sponsor of Clara Tauson for a five-year period, he did so - here and now - with a proper dive in his pocket.

- In fact, I paid all five years in advance at once, he says and explains:

- The agreement was long and based on me having to help in the beginning, where the need was greatest. Maybe five years later she would be able to fend for herself.

- I might also pay a little more than I had intended, compared to what I might be able to get back in terms of marketing, Lars Seier chuckles and acknowledges that there is also a bit of 'con amore' about his support for the tennis talent.

- Of course, because I think it is very important that we have some flagships for Denmark. That we have some talented representatives in the world, and I think Clara will be. Of course, there is a long way to go to the absolute top, but if she is spared injuries, then I really believe in her.

He obviously hopes for some kind of consideration, but that does not have to make a profit on his marketing account.

- We have agreed that she may be a kind of ambassador for one of the companies in my portfolio at some point, but it is not a card I have played yet. It is not urgent, but if she can later create some attention about one of them, then it could be her payback, he says.

- I might also be able to get some customers to some of her events, so I think I should get some value back on what I have given.

- I also want to think rationally, but I especially have a love for young people who are trying to reach a goal - entrepreneurs as athletes.

She's becoming everyone's darling
In his time, Lars Seier had the opportunity to become a sponsor of Caroline Wozniacki but hesitated. When the bid came in relation to Clara Tauson from the same manager, he did not hesitate.

- I did not join Caroline's trip, and we were also heavily exposed to cycling at the time. Now I got the chance again, and it was funny that it was Mikkel Nissen who called ten years later. Of course I listened, he says.

During the initial maneuvers, he has had almost identical experiences.

- I met a young Caroline and her family who had the same ambitions and willingness all the way around the table to back up, and I have had the same experience with the Tauson Family, he says.

- At the time, I talked a bit with Caroline, and I did the same with Clara to sense how much they wanted it, and I liked the answers from both of them.

- It is a gift from God to have a talent, but you must also have the will and passion to provide what is necessary to achieve your goals, says Lars Seier and explains that he likes to watch a good tennis match, but not is any expert.

Therefore, he has had to lean on the assessments of others, and it was good, he believes today.
- I think she's had her popular breakthrough. Danes like when their compatriots do well. Clara has the potential to become a real darling, because she is humble and quiet off the field and then she fires it in there.

It was a difficult sports Sunday for Sponsor-Lars, because FCK played in Brøndby, and then he had to move on to ice hockey in Rungsted, where he also saw the second set of Clara's final.

- But I have seen previous matches in the tournament, and I have been really happy to see how she with fantastic offensive tennis, power and great mental strength swept all opposition off the court.

https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/anden_spo ... ud/8498200

by ponchi101 Sounds like a healthy sponsorship relationship.
Wonder if one day a player will decide to issue a bond on future earnings of his/her career. You get money up-front and other people are then invested on you. Risky because of the chance of injuries, but nothing more than what happens with real stock.

by dmforever

JazzNU wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:35 am

I love the fact that a Grand Slam champion is practicing on a cracked court.

Kevin

by ponchi101 Hadn't notice that. Indeed, new coach, old court...

by JazzNU

by ti-amie Juan M. del Potro @delpotrojuan
Muchas gracias @FundacionKonex por este gran premio y reconocimiento. Siempre es un placer estar con @sabatinigabyok
Un beso grande a todos!!!
Translated from Spanish by Google
Thanks a lot @FundacionKonex for this great award and recognition. It is always a pleasure to be with
@sabatinigabyok
A big kiss to all!

by JazzNU Not gonna lie, I'm a bit confused by this normalcy. But I love seeing them both and they look great.

by dmforever Talk about a great looking pair of people. Sabatini is rocking 50. And Delpo is Delpo!!

Kevin

by ponchi101 My GF used to work for HBO in Caracas. One day this truly gorgeous girl pops her head in her office, and says "would you mind if I sit here for a while?". My GF did not know who she was, but sure, it would be no problem. The girl sat down, and started casual chat. She was super, and they had a good time. The girl then stood up, thanked her for her time (and a cup of coffee) and left. My GF did not mind, and never thought about it.
She then noticed a little bit of excitement outside, and peaked. The girl was surrounded and some people were asking for autographs and one photographer was taking pictures. My GF wondered what actress she was (HBO, again), and why she did not know her.
It was Sabatini. She had been hiding for a while from everybody and the hoopla, and had, luckily, popped her head into the only office of the sole person that did not know who she was. My GF says she was the coolest, easiest going person in the world. And beautiful as could be.
Which she found out about the next day. We hadn't met each other yet, so it happened a bit around the early 2000's.

by dmforever

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:54 am My GF used to work for HBO in Caracas. One day this truly gorgeous girl pops her head in her office, and says "would you mind if I sit here for a while?". My GF did not know who she was, but sure, it would be no problem. The girl sat down, and started casual chat. She was super, and they had a good time. The girl then stood up, thanked her for her time (and a cup of coffee) and left. My GF did not mind, and never thought about it.
She then noticed a little bit of excitement outside, and peaked. The girl was surrounded and some people were asking for autographs and one photographer was taking pictures. My GF wondered what actress she was (HBO, again), and why she did not know her.
It was Sabatini. She had been hiding for a while from everybody and the hoopla, and had, luckily, popped her head into the only office of the sole person that did not know who she was. My GF says she was the coolest, easiest going person in the world. And beautiful as could be.
Which she found out about the next day. We hadn't met each other yet, so it happened a bit around the early 2000's.

What a great story. It's so nice to find out that some famous people aren't full of themselves. I had a similar situation with Raoul Bova, a famous Italian actor. He was a friend of a friend of mine but I didn't know who he was. We went out for lunch and the waiters were basically standing at our table waiting for us to ask for anything. It was weird. Then after lunch they all asked for autographs (this was before cell phones had cameras) and I figured it out. But I'd day that Gaby probably has a more level head than he does.

Kevin

by skatingfan Andy finally equaled Roger in something.

Murray ties Federer

by Suliso He needed four tries to do it, so advantage Roger

by skatingfan

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:12 pm He needed four tries to do it, so advantage Roger

Federer got up 4-0, but now it's 4-4, so the set isn't over yet. And what's Rafa doing - still getting baggled.

by Omess

skatingfan wrote:Andy finally equaled Roger in something.

Murray ties Federer

They have been busy. I remember when he joked that he should go back on the road because it was getting out of control

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/a ... 663032.amp


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

by the Moz I say this with utmost respect, but who would want to have four children

by meganfernandez

Omess wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:20 pm

skatingfan wrote:Andy finally equaled Roger in something.

Murray ties Federer

They have been busy. I remember when he joked that he should go back on the road because it was getting out of control

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/a ... 663032.amp


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

That was an old article about their third kid. But they did indeed have a fourth. Almost no info here: https://www.atptour.com/en/news/andy-ki ... urth-child

by ponchi101

the Moz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:54 pm I say this with utmost respect, but who would want to have four children

At a time in which having children is almost a privilege, financially speaking.
No problems there for Andy, sure, but indeed, that is quite a brood.
So, what are the odds of the Federer twins meeting the Murray bros at a Wimby final, 20 some years from now?

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:40 pm

the Moz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:54 pm I say this with utmost respect, but who would want to have four children

At a time in which having children is almost a privilege, financially speaking.
No problems there for Andy, sure, but indeed, that is quite a brood.
So, what are the odds of the Federer twins meeting the Murray bros at a Wimby final, 20 some years from now?

is the fourth Murray a boy for sure? If so, both Fed and Andy have an entire Olympics tennis team under their roof.

Four kids would be wonderful if you can afford it. I don't have any kids, but when you're older and they have kids and you get to watch them all grow up... great way to spend the back half of your life.

by ponchi101 The emotional and personal aspects are up to everybody. The financial aspects are clear: it is one of the main reasons why people are delaying or downright not having children. It is too much.
Surprisingly, it is the middle class that is affected the most. The rich are rich, so they are not affected, the poor are not going to be poorer by having children. Which is a terrible statement, but I can't phrase it any more palatable.

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:58 pm The emotional and personal aspects are up to everybody. The financial aspects are clear: it is one of the main reasons why people are delaying or downright not having children. It is too much.
Surprisingly, it is the middle class that is affected the most. The rich are rich, so they are not affected, the poor are not going to be poorer by having children. Which is a terrible statement, but I can't phrase it any more palatable.

Absolutely. I never wanted kids. Now that I'm older and more stable, I think they'd be nice to have around, and grandkids, too. But honestly it's not how I've ever wanted to spend my time. Bless those that do - I am in awe of them. Parenting seems like the hardest job in the world.

by the Moz

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 3:42 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:58 pm The emotional and personal aspects are up to everybody. The financial aspects are clear: it is one of the main reasons why people are delaying or downright not having children. It is too much.
Surprisingly, it is the middle class that is affected the most. The rich are rich, so they are not affected, the poor are not going to be poorer by having children. Which is a terrible statement, but I can't phrase it any more palatable.

Absolutely. I never wanted kids. Now that I'm older and more stable, I think they'd be nice to have around, and grandkids, too. But honestly it's not how I've ever wanted to spend my time. Bless those that do - I am in awe of them. Parenting seems like the hardest job in the world.

For sure

by Suliso We have extremely high standards for parenting now (too high?). Two or three generations ago it wasn't like that.

by ti-amie Well at least we know the hip isn't preventing him from living what seems to be his best life...

by ponchi101 That was nine months ago. Maybe THAT'S how he re-injured the hip...
(You started )

by ti-amie Good point ponchi. Maybe we should go back and calculate Kim giving birth with his hip issues...(no double entendre intended)

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 4:22 pm We have extremely high standards for parenting now (too high?). Two or three generations ago it wasn't like that.

I completely disagree.
And if you worked with troubled youth - the number of which are continually on the increase - you'd likely disagree, as well.

Fifty years ago, it would have been thought a crime to give one's children over to a daycare - essentially an assembly line - for the huge majority of their incredibly important formative years. Today, young children spend more time during their formative years in daycare than they spend with their parents. So who is raising the children?
Daycare may have its place - but it is being abused today as a convenient way for parents to try to have their cake and eat it, too. Then once the child reaches his/her teenage years, the parents complain that there's no emotional attachment between them and their children, sigh...

These days, parents are too busy updating their facebook status to properly care for their children. And 'caring for their children' means far more than merely ensuring that they have enough to eat, and have a TV in their bedroom and the latest, 'coolest' pair of shoes. Parents are far less mature today than in the past. Today, people want to have kids, but refuse to make the necessary sacrifices to their own life to spend the time nurturing and raising the kids. They want to maintain their 'social lives' while having children. The predictable result is more reports of parental abuse, neglect, and more children running away and/or being put into foster care.
Far too many parents today know exactly who their favourite TV star or musician is dating, but have no idea who their own child is dating.

Not to mention that children spend far more time first with TV, now with computers and cell phones (including the ubiquitous internet, of course), than they do with their parents. So who is truly raising the children today -parents... or daycares, computers, and the internet?
Higher standards for parenting today? No way. Children have never spent less time with their parents than they do today.

by Suliso Sorry, but I strongly disagree with most of the above. Daycare is necessary so that women can keep their careers not because parents need to be on Facebook or other such nonsense. Fifty years ago in Germany a woman's role in life was best described as KKK - kinder, küche, kirche (children, kitchen and church). Fortunately we have moved on...

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:37 pm Sorry, but I strongly disagree with most of the above. Daycare is necessary so that women can keep their careers not because parents need to be on Facebook or other such nonsense. Fifty years ago in Germany a woman's role in life was best described as KKK - kinder, küche, kirche (children, kitchen and church). Fortunately we have moved on...

Yes, we have 'moved on' ... at the expense of the children.

What you describe addresses the role of women in society - it does not address the role of parenting, or, specifically, your claim that the standards of parenting are higher today.
If parenting standards are higher, why are we seeing more troubled children today (per capita) than ever before? More reports of parental abuse and neglect; more children put into foster care; more children running away; more children involved in prostitution; more children involved in gangs... etc.?

by ti-amie Shonda Rhimes is doing a great job highlighting the role of women in her soap "Bridgerton". At first I thought it was a joke that the young women had no idea where babies came from but it seems that mothers only told their daughters the "facts of life" when their wedding dates got close. It was funny when, after one young woman was totally perplexed about it a male character asks her "haven't you ever been on a farm?" Of course she hadn't.

There's another good example of what a "woman's role" was in "WandaVision" and the role US soap sitcoms played in perpetuating that role but that is another conversation

It's very rare to see families of more than two children these days because it is very expensive to provide food, clothes and shelter to more than two. It's not even about women wanting to work women NEED to work to support the modern lifestyle.

Andy and Kim are wealthy and can afford help with housework and child care, help that many can't afford. And I'd be willing to bet the older kids have been in some form of "daycare", educational or otherwise, from about three or four years of age. The same with the Federer children. I doubt Mirka, at the end of the day, is flopping down in a chair, hair and clothes a mess, her nerves shattered.

If a woman is able to stay home and the family live a modern life style without financial stress she is pretty well off and can spend some of her time on social media.

by Suliso I don't personally know anyone with 4+ kids... Maybe half a dozen families with three including one of my cousins. Indeed it's mostly about cost, but also people start the process up to 10 years later than they used to. Hardly time left for more than two.

by Deuce Maybe the standards for living a 'comfortable life' are too high today.
The 'need' for comfort and convenience is much more prevalent today than it was a few decades ago. It's all about 'keeping up with the Joneses' today: if your neighbours have 2 cars and 3 TVs, you must have the same, or suffer in 'social status'.

I think it's painfully obvious that people's material wants today are much, much greater than they were a few decades ago. Back then, the average family considered itself fortunate to have one basic colour TV and one car. Today, the average family feels embarrassed if they don't have at least 2 HD TVs, a cable TV subscription, high speed internet, and 2 cars that are less than 5 years old each.

And so, as material wants and the need for a certain level of 'social status' have increased, both parents have to work to afford that lifestyle.
But the reality is that today's average lifestyle would have been considered 'luxurious' a few decades ago. And when I see that the main consequence to today's lifestyle is that children are being more neglected, and are having more problems, I say that today's lifestyle is not worth that cost.

by ti-amie Parenting involves setting boundaries and I think that is what Deuce is talking about. Your little bundle of joy is just that, YOURS. Once he/she steps outside of your home no one gives a damn about his/her feelings, wants or desires. Kids have to be made to understand that.

The other thing is peer pressure. If Hailey has the latest sneakers and your daughter doesn't she faces bullying because her family must be "poor". There was a lament by a wealthy woman that she was working hard so that her children wouldn't be the "poorest of the rich" kids at their school in the NYTimes.

Societal pressures have changed and parents have to fight to stay on top of them within bounds of reason and that is what makes parenting so difficult today. So many people on night Twitter are people who have put the kids to bed (hopefully their kids aren't like those twins in the video clip) and taking a bit of "me" time.

by Suliso You can freely decide to live 60-ties lifestyle as long as you can find a partner who agrees.

by ti-amie

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:22 pm You can freely decide to live 60-ties lifestyle as long as you can find a partner who agrees.

And can afford to provide it for you.

by Suliso Of course, and this is not just for people with kids, material desires can be endless and short of being the top 0.1% you'll never have it all. Tempering this "keeping up with neighbors" urge is something we all need to master. Having said that in my environment (no kids) I find absolutely zero pressure or expectation to keep up with anyone.

by ti-amie

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:22 pm You can freely decide to live 60-ties lifestyle as long as you can find a partner who agrees.

Sure... but the problem is that, as materialism has increased, personal insecurity has also increased - and so people are not strong enough to resist this increased materialism.
And, as I've said, it is not without consequence - the children ultimately pay the price for their parents 'needing' to follow the crowd. And that's neither fair nor healthy.

As for the example of the child being bullied in school because he/she doesn't have the latest 'cool' shoes... That may well be true. But to me, the best parents will not buy the child the 'cool' shoes. The best parents will teach the child that materialism is superficial and is simply a grand illusion, and that allowing other people to decide what you wear - among other things - is not healthy. The weaker parents will give in and do what is most convenient and requires the least amount of effort - which is to buy the kid the 'cool' shoes. But what does this teach the child?

We have more of those weaker types of parents today than we had in the past - partially because parents are 'too busy' to teach their children to be strong and emotionally healthy and to not follow the crowd, and partially because parents are more immature and insecure today than in the past, and so want to 'show off' vicariously by buying their kids the things that 'social status' demands.
There is no question in my mind that parenting has gone backwards in the past 50 years or so. And proof of that can be seen in the pretty much annual increase in insecure, materialistic, and troubled kids.

by JazzNU

skatingfan wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:08 pm Andy finally equaled Roger in something.

Murray ties Federer

Didn't know we were onto baby #4. That's the real news for me. I didn't know what he could've caught up to Roger on and when it was kids, I thought, oh twins? I don't at all recall when baby #3 came.

by Suliso If you hear about an ankle injury soon at least you'll know why

by JazzNU I had missed that Niko Basilashvili was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife...

by ponchi101 The event happened around May 2020. Trial was scheduled to start around July. Then I can't find anything else. Of course he is free, as he is out there playing, but I would like to know what the final verdict was, as he claimed the allegations were false.

by mmmm8 The court process is still ongoing - no verdict has been issued. This is as of yesterday, because his lawyer threatened to sue over some articles saying he shouldn't have been entered into Doha (for libel, since he's to be presumed innocent until found guilty).

The news stories about what happened didn't give a lot of objective facts, but it seemed there was a possibility that they were both physically and other kinds of abusive to each other.

by Suliso Fiona Ferro

by Suliso Just read a curious fact: Petra Kvitova has never lost a final from a set up. Not even in juniors or at ITF level. Must be the greatest frontrunner on the tour now. I checked myself that it has happened 4 times for Serena and twice for Osaka (ITF level).

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:58 am Just read a curious fact: Petra Kvitova has never lost a final from a set up. Not even in juniors or at ITF level. Must be the greatest frontrunner on the tour now. I checked myself that it has happened 4 times for Serena and twice for Osaka (ITF level).

That's fantastic. Love hearing anything good about Petra. Really hope she gets another Slam, post-stabbing .That comeback was so underrated.

Wonder what the best comeback in tennis has been. Do Capriati and Seles take the cake?

by ponchi101 Those two are on the list. Connors coming back from wrist surgery and reaching the USO SF at 39 comes to mind. But I am thinking about it and most likely I will got for Petra too. She was knifed in her playing hand and here she is, still competitive. It was indeed very courageous.

by Suliso I think it's still either Seles or Capriati, but Petra certainly deserves an honorable notion. Luckily for her the incident seems to have affected her only in a minor manner (not counting any psychological damage).

by ponchi101 Well, it hasn't affected her much, which is the point here, but you remember the pictures of the injury? I am not going to post them (they are here, with a warning) but it was not as if they just had to take two stitches and kiss her booboo goodbye. That was serious.
Again, the wonders of modern medicine. That operation must have taken some serious skills from the doctors.

by Deuce Of course, there were also the emotional and psychological scars for both Kvitova and Seles - which makes their respective comebacks more impressive than the others to me.
Capriati, as well, no doubt had to overcome the emotional and psychological effects of her circumstance. But it wasn't on the same scale as being attacked with a knife by a lunatic.

by ti-amie

by Deuce That's quite an accomplishment for Tommy, who's got to be about 73 years old now, as he's been on the tour for more than 50 years...

by ti-amie

Deuce wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:23 pm That's quite an accomplishment for Tommy, who's got to be about 73 years old now, as he's been on the tour for more than 50 years...

by the Moz The best comeback in tennis is Monica Seles. End of.

Any other example of an athlete assaulted by a third party while in the moment competing? The horror of the Munich Olympics might be the closest.

by skatingfan

the Moz wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:48 pm The best comeback in tennis is Monica Seles. End of.

Any other example of an athlete assaulted by a third party while in the moment competing? The horror of the Munich Olympics might be the closest.

Nancy Kerrigan

by Liamvalid Does Agassi count? I don’t know that much about him but didn’t he fall out of the game and become a meth head, only to start playing challengers to work his way back up and ended up with another 4 slams? I know that time out doesn’t compare to Seles stabbing, but if his personal problems were due to mental illness I’d say he’s up there

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 4:25 pm I think it's still either Seles or Capriati, but Petra certainly deserves an honorable notion. Luckily for her the incident seems to have affected her only in a minor manner (not counting any psychological damage).

I would love to hear a fuller story on what it took for Petra to come back. It think it's easy to underplay it because her results have been good since then, even right away, so we infer that it wasn't all that difficult. She has talked about the racket feeling totally different in her hand, which must have been scary and technically hard to adjust to. She couldn't make a fist - so grip her racket totally - when she came back and that lasted for a while and still might be the case. She has also mentioned that it hurt that people didn't think she could come back. There are a bunch of layers of trauma that we never see. I think it's remarkable and I'd love to hear the whole story.

She is lucky that the knife missed the nerves, I believe.

by meganfernandez

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:07 am Does Agassi count? I don’t know that much about him but didn’t he fall out of the game and become a meth head, only to start playing challengers to work his way back up and ended up with another 4 slams? I know that time out doesn’t compare to Seles stabbing, but if his personal problems were due to mental illness I’d say he’s up there

Not sure he became a meth head (Capriati did though - or closer than Agassi). Agassi was doing cocaine before his ranking fell - he failed a drug test and the ATP or whoever buried it. I can't remember if he got addicted to painkillers or anything at some point before his comeback. Yes, his ranking did fall and he played challengers. It is a great comeback.

by ponchi101 Not a meth-head but in his book he did say he used it once. I don't recall the cocaine story but when the book came out, and he made it clear that the ATP had covered up his case, Nadal and others were fuming; they (I believe correctly so) said that it smeared them as now there would be suspicion that the ATP would cover up cases selectively. Rafa was the most vocal as he was, at the time, frequently being accused of doping (which, of course was not true) by some journals, especially in France.
While I will give Agassi credit for his comeback, the circumstances were very different. They did not involve a major physical injury, or something like Seles or Petra's attacks. So as a comeback, sure, he came back and was better than ever before. As per the situation? No, he dug that hole himself, and that makes it very different from these two women's cases. Again, he was very brave in doing what he did, but not the same.

by ptmcmahon

the Moz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:54 pm I say this with utmost respect, but who would want to have four children

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:03 pm I don't personally know anyone with 4+ kids... Maybe half a dozen families with three including one of my cousins. Indeed it's mostly about cost, but also people start the process up to 10 years later than they used to. Hardly time left for more than two.

Well you know at least one TATer with 4 As for the first question.. I wanted 0 or 2 kids, wife wanted 3 or 4. You can see who won that

Only have one friend who has more that I can think of.

by skatingfan

ptmcmahon wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:17 pm Well you know at least one TATer with 4 As for the first question.. I wanted 0 or 2 kids, wife wanted 3 or 4. You can see who won that

I'm sure you put up a fight.

by ponchi101 My brother wanted no kids. My sister in law wanted two.
I do love both my nieces; they are pretty cool.
Only way for a man to win that split is surgical.

by ptmcmahon I did that four kids too late

by ti-amie Taylor Townsend gave birth to a son, Adyn Aubrey.

by ponchi101 Good for her. Let's see when she gets back on court. She did say she would be coming back, right?

by JazzNU I'll have to post a picture of her, she's posted several during her pregnancy. Looks adorable.

Yes, she plans on returning. She's been working out during her pregnancy. She was still hitting the ball a few months ago. But when she returns is anyone's guess.

by JazzNU This is Taylor several days ago, on the day of her baby shower.

by Fastbackss Pregnant women tend to glow; that dress makes it even more pronounced!

by mmmm8 Agassi tested positive for meth, not cocaine. He used meth for a short while depressed when his ranking dropped and Brooke Shields left him. Agassi is really another case of tennis parent child abuse, but a little bit less talked about because he was a man.

It's all in his great book, Open, which I can't recommend enough (it's co-written with a great writer).

by meganfernandez

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:01 am Agassi tested positive for meth, not cocaine. He used meth for a short while depressed when his ranking dropped and Brooke Shields left him. Agassi is really another case of tennis parent child abuse, but a little bit less talked about because he was a man.

It's all in his great book, Open, which I can't recommend enough (it's co-written with a great writer).

Open was really good. I read it ages ago - your memory is better than mine. I do recall some extremely cheesy choice of music while cruising around Vegas in his convertible. Like a song called "Can't Stop the Rain" and how it was so inspiring to him. I just came away from Open thinking he was a pretty cheesy guy. But I like him.

I also think the lack of attention to the parenting abuse was because it was when he was a child, not competing on tour with a monster parent-coach. But also because he's a dude, yeah.

by JazzNU I think Agassi is talked about less because I thought most of that stuff came out in the book, and it wasn't well known while he was still playing. Tomic pretends to be a man and a tennis player and there was plenty of attention on his oh so lovely father.

I have a hard time imagining him being a man would matter if Agassi's dad was acting the way Mary Pierce's dad was in the stands.

by meganfernandez

JazzNU wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:42 pm I think Agassi is talked about less because I thought most of that stuff came out in the book, and it wasn't well known while he was still playing. Tomic pretends to be a man and a tennis player and there was plenty of attention on his oh so lovely father.

I have a hard time imagining him being a man would matter if Agassi's dad was acting the way Mary Pierce's dad was in the stands.

I see what you're saying. I think the dad would have gotten the same attention but Agassi wouldn't have been regarded as a victim to the same extent. We quickly infantilize women but not men.

by ti-amie I think Tomic is regarded as severely damaged although it's not covered the way that women players would be.

by the Moz

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:05 pm

JazzNU wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:42 pm I think Agassi is talked about less because I thought most of that stuff came out in the book, and it wasn't well known while he was still playing. Tomic pretends to be a man and a tennis player and there was plenty of attention on his oh so lovely father.

I have a hard time imagining him being a man would matter if Agassi's dad was acting the way Mary Pierce's dad was in the stands.

I see what you're saying. I think the dad would have gotten the same attention but Agassi wouldn't have been regarded as a victim to the same extent. We quickly infantilize women but not men.

For sure!!

But the 'burn out/coulda been' list is much lengthier for the women's tour than the men's.

by ti-amie I think that's why Shapo coming out and saying that he needs to play less for his mental health is important.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:01 pm I think that's why Shapo coming out and saying that he needs to play less for his mental health is important.

I missed that he said that. I hope the comments were directed at his mother more than anyone else.

by Deuce

the Moz wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:50 pm For sure!!

But the 'burn out/coulda been' list is much lengthier for the women's tour than the men's.

^ That's likely largely because female tennis players have historically entered the tour at a younger age than males.

by the Moz

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:00 pm

the Moz wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:50 pm For sure!!

But the 'burn out/coulda been' list is much lengthier for the women's tour than the men's.

^ That's likely largely because female tennis players have historically entered the tour at a younger age than males.

True that.

by Suliso Yulia Putintseva

by Liamvalid

Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:01 pm Yulia Putintseva

Don’t know if it’s because I can’t stand watching her play, but I never knew she was that beautiful!

by ti-amie

by JazzNU Lorenzo Musetti got the cover of Italian Esquire back in November. Guess they are more than ready to make him a star.

by ponchi101 Novak's father making some interesting comments:
Novak Djokovic is an "invisible miracle", it's as if God sent him to show that Serbians are not genocidal people: Father Srdjan Djokovic

by the Moz

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:10 am Novak's father making some interesting comments:
Novak Djokovic is an "invisible miracle", it's as if God sent him to show that Serbians are not genocidal people: Father Srdjan Djokovic

by dmforever

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:10 am Novak's father making some interesting comments:
Novak Djokovic is an "invisible miracle", it's as if God sent him to show that Serbians are not genocidal people: Father Srdjan Djokovic

The internet and social media can be used for good, or bad, or idiocy. This clearly belongs in the last category.

Kevin

by the Moz

dmforever wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 3:40 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:10 am Novak's father making some interesting comments:
Novak Djokovic is an "invisible miracle", it's as if God sent him to show that Serbians are not genocidal people: Father Srdjan Djokovic

The internet and social media can be used for good, or bad, or idiocy. This clearly belongs in the last category.

Kevin

Darwin for the digital set.

by ti-amie Would he be saying this stuff if it didn't go over well in Serbia? My guess is his son will be running for political office of some kind when he's finished playing tennis.

by ponchi101 I posted it in a separate topic. Novak will be Serbia's president about 10 years after his retirement. Unless Nikola Jokic runs against him (it will be 49-51).
Ok, make it 15.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:53 pm Would he be saying this stuff if it didn't go over well in Serbia? My guess is his son will be running for political office of some kind when he's finished playing tennis.

I doubt it. But the dad always seems to think what he says will play well worldwide. He wants Novak to be liked outside of Serbia too, he's as desperate as Novak for more adoration from tennis fans. Why he hasn't learned opening his trap does the opposite of that is beyond me. He clearly loves the sound of his own voice.

by ponchi101 Because the unfortunate thing, for Novak, is that pretty soon people will forget who really said this and he will be painted with it. Which this time, he will not be responsible for.

by skatingfan Tsitsipas is wearing a mask with a picture of himself wearing a mask with a picture of himself wearing a mask with a picture of himself wearing a mask with . . . well you get the picture.

by Suliso Amanda Anisimova

by Deuce

skatingfan wrote: ↑Fri Mar 19, 2021 2:25 pm Tsitsipas is wearing mask with a picture of himself wearing a mask with a picture of himself wearing with a picture of himself wearing a mask with . . . well you get the picture.

^ Very Djokovic-like.
As I've said previously, Tsitsipas and his father will take over from Novak and his father as the most insufferable parent-child duo in men's tennis. There are some interesting similarities.

by ti-amie

by ponchi101 Why is Clarey remembering Sampras? Sure, no big deal, but it is not the anniversary of that championship, nor his Bday, nor even the 30th year of that (it will be the 31st).
Anything special?

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:09 pm Why is Clarey remembering Sampras? Sure, no big deal, but it is not the anniversary of that championship, nor his Bday, nor even the 30th year of that (it will be the 31st).
Anything special?

Not a clue.

by Deuce Maybe it's the anniversary of this well known ad...?

by ti-amie

Deuce wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:42 am Maybe it's the anniversary of this well known ad...?

by Suliso Anett Kontaveit

by ti-amie He posted this today:

by ponchi101 Ok. So he is basically saying he misses the old days. I can live with that.
Gibson: the most forgotten woman in perhaps all of sports. And never included in the GOAT conversation, forgetting she was forced to go pro because of finances.
Don't get me started on how she died.

by ti-amie

by Suliso Another temptation (Alize)

by ti-amie

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:23 pm

Want to place bets?

by Deuce

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:06 pm

Who besides me would like to see a mixed doubles team of Del Potro and Andreescu?

by ponchi101 I still cannot understand his injury. I saw in on TV, that "little slip" at Queens. And he is still out? How could that be so significant?
I hope he gets his knees back. Even if it is just to have a normal life.

by JazzNU Matteo in Monaco about 2 weeks ago. Still rehabbing from the injury he got in Australia.

by skatingfan

JazzNU wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 2:30 am Matteo in Monaco about 2 weeks ago. Still rehabbing from the injury he got in Australia.

Looks fine to me.

by ti-amie

by ponchi101 Who was it that said that we have some of the greatest athletes in all of sports?

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:54 pm Who was it that said that we have some of the greatest athletes in all of sports?

You can convince me of that in terms of the women. By with the men, with few exceptions, it's not even close.

by ponchi101 Ever seen four spaniards with a tennis ball, on a tennis court, playing that freaky mixture of football and tennis? Not good enough for you?
Andre Agassi once went to a batting cage in Cincy. He started hitting balls and asked for the machine to be put on a higher speed. Soon, he asked it to be put at maximum. The operator told him the machine could reach 95MPH. Maximum, he said. He kept hitting line drives, getting to the point that he started taking running starts when the machine was throwing.
Almost an identical story was told about Aaron Krickstein. Mardy Fish, of course, is famous for hitting a home run at Three River Stadium.
Sports I believe Gael would excel at: basketball (obvious), football (wide receiver/cornerback), track and field (high jump/long jump), swimming.
Rafa and Nole going 6 hours at that Aussie final. Hitting winners late in the fifth.
I would say that the majority of ATP players could complete a marathon with minimal extra training.

We do have some really good athletes. I remain convinced: the best athletes in the world, if you include skills and athleticism, are the guys in the NBA, and the guys in the ATP.
No need for examples from the WTA because we agree.

by JazzNU Nope not good enough for me. I am most certainly not talking about marathon runners when I'm talking about "greatest athletes in all of sports." What I think you've done is picked out the few exceptions I'm talking about You did mention a few that I didn't know, I have no idea why Mardy Fish is "of course," but what I said still stands for me. I think a healthy percentage of WTA players could likely make and start on a Power 5 collegiate team in another sport, but I can't say the same for the men at all.

by ponchi101 Ok. Then I ask you: who do you think are the best athletes overall? A combination of skills, stamina, power, precision. Which sport do you think produces the overall best?

by JazzNU Easily basketball. Though I judge by US basketball standards. If I had to look outside of the US, I very well might choose a different sport.

by Fastbackss I didn't know the Mardy Fish story, but I did know how good a golfer he is - winning the celebrity tournament and I believe (nearly) qualifying for some pro tournaments

by ponchi101

JazzNU wrote: ↑Wed Mar 24, 2021 1:45 am Easily basketball. Though I judge by US basketball standards. If I had to look outside of the US, I very well might choose a different sport.

But then we are in agreement. Here I only said that we produce some of the best overall athletes in all of sports. But my original opinion was that the NBA/WNBA and ATP/WTA produce the best such athletes. I can easily imagine Steph or Chris Paul taking up tennis at an early age and being highly ranked now. Imagine Jordan playing tennis. Sure, a bit too tall but, with his speed and lateral movements he would be a nightmarish serve and volley player (to play against).

by Suliso NBA is top class as far as athleticism is concerned, but on the other hand pure height plays a huge role as well.

by ti-amie

by ponchi101

Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:21 pm NBA is top class as far as athleticism is concerned, but on the other hand pure height plays a huge role as well.

Sure. Remember the axion: "You CAN'T teach height". You will always have the Embids and O'Neal, players that don't impress me in the same sense of Curry, Jordan, Lebron or, in the past, Allen Iverson or Dr J. But the combination of all the athletic skills PLUS the hand/eye coordination is what impresses me of both sports. Curry's hand/eye skills would make him, I believe, a deadly server and a fantastic volleyer. How could you pass Jordan or Magic Johnson? Allen Iverson's speed and quickness would rival, at a minimum, Chang's or Hewitt's or now Deminaur's.
I have said this before: a team of selected NBA athletes will be more competitive against any team of selected athletes FROM ANOTHER sport, at that sport, than that same team will be in basketball.

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 24, 2021 5:38 pm

Suliso wrote: ↑Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:21 pm NBA is top class as far as athleticism is concerned, but on the other hand pure height plays a huge role as well.

Sure. Remember the axion: "You CAN'T teach height". You will always have the Embids and O'Neal, players that don't impress me in the same sense of Curry, Jordan, Lebron or, in the past, Allen Iverson or Dr J. But the combination of all the athletic skills PLUS the hand/eye coordination is what impresses me of both sports. Curry's hand/eye skills would make him, I believe, a deadly server and a fantastic volleyer. How could you pass Jordan or Magic Johnson? Allen Iverson's speed and quickness would rival, at a minimum, Chang's or Hewitt's or now Deminaur's.
I have said this before: a team of selected NBA athletes will be more competitive against any team of selected athletes FROM ANOTHER sport, at that sport, than that same team will be in basketball.

I don't disagree, and I don't think height is the only thing that makes NBA/WNBA players good at other sports. It's like you say, hand eye coordination, thinking on the fly, adjusting to changing situations and overall athletic ability. Curry doesn't get enough credit for being the point guard that he is.

There is a dispute about Jordan's height. He's listed now as 6'6" but was 6'4" for the Olympics.

by Suliso I'd like to see NBA players try ice hockey. NHL players might actually win that one

I think we probably all agree that NBA is most versatile and athletic of big leagues in US and possibly worldwide. I'd be a lot more hesitant to claim the same for women, WNBA not really a big deal globally.

by ponchi101 Had not thought about hockey. You are probably right there.

by Suliso Some sports are just too specific. There probably are only handful of NBA players who would survive a pro level downhill run on the mountain, but of course that's not an argument that skiers are better athletes. They aren't except maybe for the courage factor.

by ti-amie I was floored when I went to Quèbec and saw how there are pick up hockey games just like pick up basketball games there. We stayed with family so we were in a residential neighborhood. As for skiing, you have to be nuts to throw yourself down the side of a mountain on two wooden (are they wood anymore) slats. As has been said, I admire their courage.

by ponchi101 No, they are not wooden slats anymore . It is not a coincidence that a lot of companies that make rackets also make skis: head, rosignol, volkl, fisher, quite a few. All skis are super technological sandwiches of space age materials.
And you always have your bunny slopes.
Having said that, I started skiing at an advanced age: I was almost 50. By now I can go down black diamond slopes with ease and the sole limitation are my physical condition (I am not 25 so moguls and other bumps are too hard on the knees) and when the slope is too steep and the chicken in me reminds me that I do not carry life insurance. But, as a combination of skills and physical abilities, no contest: tennis is way tougher to master than skiing.

by ti-amie

by Deuce Sloane's commitment to tennis has been absent for quite a while now - for about 18 months (long before she lost people she was close with to COVID-19).
It has just seemed that she wasn't enjoying tennis, that she didn't want to be on the court.
She just turned 28 a few days ago - so, physically, she still has several years remaining where she can play at a high level. She simply has to decide if she wants to or not.

One must wonder how she lost her motivation for the game. Was it that she found it too difficult to repeat her earlier success? Was it too much fame following the earlier success which helped her to lose her focus on tennis? Or maybe it was something completely unrelated to tennis.
Surely the virus situation and losing close family members to the virus haven't helped - but, as I mentioned, this lack of motivation began before the virus hit the world.

by patrick Stephens motivation has always been a question throughout her career.

by ponchi101 I always felt she was a good 2-3 slams winner. Maybe even a career similar to Lindsey's. Too bad, as I always liked her.

by Suliso

by ti-amie

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:41 pm

Ah. Congratulations!

by the Moz

patrick wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 10:52 am Stephens motivation has always been a question throughout her career.

Winning a Slam out of nowhere or with a low ranking is rarely a successful launching point for future success. She's 297-211 in her career and has won $15mil losing a lot of matches. And this was for the most part all achieved before she got engaged or before her COVID year from hell. Patrick on point

by Suliso

the Moz wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 6:10 pm

patrick wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 10:52 am Stephens motivation has always been a question throughout her career.

Winning a Slam out of nowhere or with a low ranking is rarely a successful launching point for future success. She's 297-211 in her career and has won $15mil losing a lot of matches. And this was for the most part all achieved before she got engaged or before her COVID year from hell. Patrick on point

There is a fellow from Brazil who disagrees.

by Suliso Interesting factoid: Naomi Osaka has never reached a tournament final off hard courts and has never been to final in any European tournament. I guess we can fully expect her to turn into pumpkin after Miami.

by JazzNU

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 6:25 pm Interesting factoid: Naomi Osaka has never reached a tournament final off hard courts and has never been to final in any European tournament. I guess we can fully expect her to turn into pumpkin after Miami.

Yes. Her current win streak is being overstated as people like to gloss over that she's played in only 4 tournaments since the hiatus, and withdrew from 2 of the 4. It just so happens those 2 wins were grand slams, so impressive and worth highlighting. But the win streak is made possible because she skipped Rome and the French. Last time she played on clay, she had an epic meltdown. Let's hope we're past that, but won't be surprising if she turns into a pumpkin in a matter of weeks.

by Suliso There is a recent interview where she says (after withdrawing from Stuttgart) that she has little interest in playing smaller tournaments and gets homesick if away from home for too long. Just from a financial point of view she's right, but that could be said about many elite players. I guess others just like the lifestyle and playing often.

by JazzNU Yes, she appears to have figured that out in the last year staying home almost the entire time and playing well when she does play. Though she hardly had a robust schedule before. Guess we'll see how it works out. Playing so little will make pushing her out as the face of women's tennis a harder challenge. Luckily, the WTA has more than just her to put forward, but it's still a bit of a blow.

by ponchi101 When Naomi retires, her 8 Grand Slams will not feature a RG.
Then again, of Sharapova's 5 slams, 2 are RG's. So who knows if Naomi well develop a taste for the dirt.

by Suliso

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:01 pm When Naomi retires, her 8 Grand Slams will not feature a RG.
Then again, of Sharapova's 5 slams, 2 are RG's. So who knows if Naomi well develop a taste for the dirt.

Will it feature Wimbledon? What is your crystal ball saying on that?

by ponchi101 I say she will conquer Wimbledon. She has the serve, and she attacks.
Then again, you know my crystal ball is really just plexiglass...

by ti-amie

by the Moz Cute couple and adorable kid!!

by 3mlm

JazzNU wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:13 pmlYes, she appears to have figured that out in the last year staying home almost the entire time and playing well when she does play. Though she hardly had a robust schedule before. Guess we'll see how it works out. Playing so little will make pushing her out as the face of women's tennis a harder challenge. Luckily, the WTA has more than just her to put forward, but it's still a bit of a blow.

Depends on how much Naomi wins. While Serena received some criticism early in her career for not playing as many tournaments as other players, she became the "face of women's tennis" after she won enough slams even though she continued to play fewer tournaments than most players.

by JazzNU

3mlm wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:10 am
Depends on how much Naomi wins. While Serena received some criticism early in her career for not playing as many tournaments as other players, she became the "face of women's tennis" after she won enough slams even though she continued to play fewer tournaments than most players.

But as it stands right now, before her stated reduction in schedule, she actually plays less than Serena did then. And now she's saying she'll be playing even less than what she was. If she keeps winning Slams, maybe not a big deal. But I wouldn't say that's great for the face of the sport. If Naomi was playing a Halep like schedule and said she was reducing it, then that would be one thing. But that is not her starting point at all.

by Deuce We obviously must keep in mind that over the past year, everyone has played a reduced schedule because of the virus situation. And so comparing Osaka's schedule in the midst of a pandemic to Serena's schedule when there was no pandemic is beyond comparing apples to oranges.

by 3mlm

JazzNU wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:45 am

3mlm wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:10 am
Depends on how much Naomi wins. While Serena received some criticism early in her career for not playing as many tournaments as other players, she became the "face of women's tennis" after she won enough slams even though she continued to play fewer tournaments than most players.

But as it stands right now, before her stated reduction in schedule, she actually plays less than Serena did then. And now she's saying she'll be playing even less than what she was. If she keeps winning Slams, maybe not a big deal. But I wouldn't say that's great for the face of the sport. If Naomi was playing a Halep like schedule and said she was reducing it, then that would be one thing. But that is not her starting point at all.

Until the 2020 WTA season, Naomi played as many or more tournaments than Serena usually has: 2019, 17 tournaments; 2018, 20 tournaments; 2017, 22 tournaments; 2016, 22 tournaments; 2015, 18 tournaments (9 ITF, 9 WTA/Slams); and 2014, 15 tournaments (11 ITF, 4 WTA), when she was 16 until October.

I don't think she's planning on reducing tournaments played from the 4 she played in 2020 or even necessarily from the 17 in 2019.

Most players played fewer tournaments in 2020 than usual, including the top players. Barty 4, Halep 6, Kenin 10, Svitolina 10, Pliskova 9, Serena 6, Sabalenka 12, Andreescu 0, Kvitova 7.

I'm waiting until we see her reduced schedule before I make any judgments about it.

And, by the way, Halep only played 17 tournaments in 2019, too, and 6 in 2020. That's 2 more than Naomi over that period of time.

by JazzNU All I can say is that I'm mystified by this reply and I'll leave it at that.

by Suliso This is Clara Burel, but I'm posting it more for the magnificent cat. Most players with pets prefer dogs.

by ponchi101 I would have posted it because of the magnificent cake

by the Moz I love the cat's face

by ti-amie I'm a cat person. That is a magnificent cat.

I had no idea what that was on the table for a minute.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:20 pm I had no idea what that was on the table for a minute.

Still not 100% certain what it is.

I am not a cat person at all. Highly allergic to them. This particular one kind of looks like it might put me in the hospital.

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:12 am

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:20 pm I had no idea what that was on the table for a minute.

Still not 100% certain what it is.

I am not a cat person at all. Highly allergic to them. This particular one kind of looks like it might put me in the hospital.

It looks like a Persian, a long haired breed. If she got it from a breeder they're very expensive.

by ponchi101 The thing on the table is a "profiterol" cake. Soft dough balls filled with pastry cream (or other forms of 1,000 KCal/Spoonful fillings), bathed in chocolate and cream, on top of a phyllo dough.
They are delicious.

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 1:22 am The thing on the table is a "profiterol" cake. Soft dough balls filled with pastry cream (or other forms of 1,000 KCal/Spoonful fillings), bathed in chocolate and cream, on top of a phyllo dough.
They are delicious.

And I could only dare a spoonful. Sigh.

by JazzNU A Persian? Absolutely not. Those are TERRIBLE for allergies and asthma.

That dessert looked more like a croquembouche than a cake to me.

by JazzNU Speaking of pets, if you watched the Muguruza vs. Kalinskaya match, especially if you were on the match during the heat rule break, then you may have seen a dog near the court and stands. That's Anna's dog that she apparently travels with most of the time when she's on Tour. His name is Kobe.

by Deuce Just once, I'd like to see a player bring a big, drooling Rottweiler or Pit Bull to their match - just to break the silly, superficial trend of using 'cute little dogs' as an attention-getting fashion accessory.

I love dogs - and cats, and all other animals. And I hate seeing them used as 'decorations' in this way.
They certainly don't belong at tennis tournaments.

by ponchi101 Why stop there? Bring a parrot on your shoulder
I agree with you.

by Fastbackss

Deuce wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:58 am Just once, I'd like to see a player bring a big, drooling Rottweiler or Pit Bull to their match - just to break the silly, superficial trend of using 'cute little dogs' as an attention-getting fashion accessory.

I love dogs - and cats, and all other animals. And I hate seeing them used as 'decorations' in this way.
They certainly don't belong at tennis tournaments.

I've often wondered who takes care of these animals, especially with their entourage trimmed.

My other hobby is car racing - and sometimes will be gone for 14 hours - so I have had to take my pooch. That is a much different environment I imagine

by ti-amie Serena and Venus started this cute dog thing. I think Venus pooch - his name escapes me now - was followed by Serena's yorkie Chip. He's a toy and I'm not sure if this Chip we're seeing is the original but he is still around. So is Venus' dog.

by JazzNU Serena and Venus can no doubt afford to have someone take care of their dogs when they travel with them. I have no idea how someone like Kalinskaya, who often needs to come up thru qualifying, is able to manage that. Since the dog was at the court, maybe no one other than her and her team.

by JazzNU I haven't read it, but ATP has a story up about Liam and Naomi Broady for anyone that might be interested. Based on tweets from the ATP, I believe it's at least somewhat talking about the unusualness of the brother-sister pairing on tour. https://www.atptour.com/en/news/liam-na ... 21-feature

by ti-amie I've already saved this.

by Fastbackss Hehe. Iga and Bethanie as teammates will assuredly create some additional memes

by Suliso Tsvetana Pironkova



Anett Kontaveit



Simona Halep

by ti-amie Halep all Louis Vuitton'ed out too I see. That small purse is meant to go inside of a larger one but whatever. Naomi's ad for them apparently has everyone and their mother with about $2k burning a hole in their pocket wanting the bag she featured. I'll look for the pic.

by ti-amie
Naomi for Louis Vuitton

by the Moz

ti-amie wrote: ↑Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:55 pm
Naomi for Louis Vuitton

Love the pic, but she needs lose the LV.

by ponchi101 The only problem for Naomi is that she is running out of possible endorsements. She is basically signed for everything.

by JazzNU Christina McHale with her sister Lauren and two others in Nashville two weeks ago.

by JazzNU ^^ Also, all indications are pointing to Lauren McHale and Ryan Harrison splitting up sometime in the last year. He's been scrubbed from her IG account and given they've been together a very long time and were married, that takes away a lot of content and isn't easy to do.

by ti-amie

So GEMS life forever?

I have two words for them: Couples therapy

Also congratulations

by ponchi101 Who knows? This dynamic is not uncommon: one of them wants to get married. The other no. They split. The one that said NO caves in, really feels the other is worth keeping, and the reunion involves taking the next step.
Hope they are happy for a long time.
BTW: she looks gorgeous.

by Fastbackss I checked, it wasn't posted on April 1.

And I wish them luck - tennis is more fun with them as a pair

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 5:59 pm Who knows? This dynamic is not uncommon: one of them wants to get married. The other no. They split. The one that said NO caves in, really feels the other is worth keeping, and the reunion involves taking the next step.
Hope they are happy for a long time.
BTW: she looks gorgeous.

And very, very happy.

I really like her ring. To get a good emerald cut you need to start with a fairly large stone. I think it's very nicely done (and expensive).

by ti-amie

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 5:41 pm So GEMS life forever?

I have two words for them: Couples therapy

Also congratulations

Congratulations. And couples therapy stat. Remember she played in the semis so how long could they have been together to work through whatever broke them up before. I do wish them the best, but I also think they are a mess and a broken engagement and re-engagement seem like they'd be par for the course in their trajectory as a couple.

by ponchi101

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 8:07 pm

Ok. I am a fan.

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 9:20 pm
Ok. I am a fan.

That was a quick turnaround.

by ti-amie I've joined the ranks of Sinner fans too.

by Deuce So... would Sinner fans be called... 'sinners'?

Good luck explaining that one when you're rejected at the Pearly Gates...

by ponchi101

JazzNU wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 11:42 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 9:20 pm
Ok. I am a fan.

That was a quick turnaround.

I had nothing against him. I only wondered why people were so high on him.
That statement is so diametrically opposite to the late comments of "we are not making enough money" that I tip my hat. To him and his parents.

by ponchi101

Deuce wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 1:31 am So... would Sinner fans be called... 'sinners'?

Good luck explaining that one when you're rejected at the Pearly Gates...

Heck, why would I BE REJECTED?
This would be the least of my sins. Anyway, hell will certainly have better music: Hendrix, Miles, Billie Holiday, and there is no way the Rolling Stones make it to heaven. No way.

by JazzNU Denis with girlfriend Mirjam Bjorklund in Miami

by ti-amie

by ti-amie

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:12 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 03, 2021 5:59 pm
BTW: she looks gorgeous.

And very, very happy.

I really like her ring. To get a good emerald cut you need to start with a fairly large stone. I think it's very nicely done (and expensive).

by Suliso Such a waste for just a shiny rock...

by mmmm8 Imagine having a life of constant travelling and changing locations, going through airports wearing EUR 700K on your finger, leaving it in random hotel rooms while you're at practice or putting it in some pocket it could fall out of. The pressure.

by ponchi101 Ok. Now I am kind of curious. I agree, partially, that this is silly (the diamond ring). But what else was Gael to give her? She is a millionaire herself, so buying her anything that she doesn't have OR CAN'T BUY herself is difficult. What was he to do? Give her nothing?
Again, I see your posts and I sort of agree. But he was in some sort of catch-22: give her nothing and he gets roasted (maybe even by her). Give her a ring and, well, it is silly too.

by ti-amie Maybe you guys don't remember how Marion Bartoli's fiance was raked over the coals when he gave her, for people at their level, what looked like a ring out of a Cracker Jack box and people came to her defense saying it had to be an heirloom in his family?

Also I think it was Kiki Bertens who apologized for her ring saying the original ring was too big or something because the one she used in her announcement was tiny (again for people at their level).

by Suliso Why does one need to display any ring in public at all? Such a wasteful tradition...

I mean I give gifts to my girlfriend too occasionally as most guys do, but something like this would feel like I'm buying her in the market or something. Maybe it's just the weird me...

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:03 am Why does one need to display any ring in public at all? Such a wasteful tradition...

I mean I give gifts to my girlfriend too occasionally as most guys do, but something like this would feel like I'm buying her in the market or something. Maybe it's just the weird me...

Because the more expensive the ring, the more genuine the love, of course!
What better proof of true love is there than spending as much money as possible on a person - and making sure you tell everyone about it?

Or maybe it’s because most cultures in the world today are incredibly superficial and materialistic, and its individuals so personally insecure, that they depend on ‘social status’ to define them. And so most of what people do is geared toward obtaining a certain ‘social status’ - and the internet (and 'social media' in particular) allows everyone to climb up onto a huge public stage any time they want - the equivalent of desperately yelling “HEY, LOOK AT ME! PLEASE LOOK AT ME! PLEASE LIKE ME! PLEASE!!” - to get their 15 minutes of fame - because without this constant validation, they feel highly insignificant.

"We are so accustomed to disguising ourselves to others that we end up becoming disguised to ourselves." ~ François de La Rochefoucauld

.

by mmmm8

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:46 am Ok. Now I am kind of curious. I agree, partially, that this is silly (the diamond ring). But what else was Gael to give her? She is a millionaire herself, so buying her anything that she doesn't have OR CAN'T BUY herself is difficult. What was he to do? Give her nothing?
Again, I see your posts and I sort of agree. But he was in some sort of catch-22: give her nothing and he gets roasted (maybe even by her). Give her a ring and, well, it is silly too.

This isn't a commentary on Gael (or Elina) - most likely this is what she wanted and he did right by her.

I just don't get it personally.

by Liamvalid Wonder how long before it’s in the pawn shop?

by meganfernandez

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:56 am

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:46 am Ok. Now I am kind of curious. I agree, partially, that this is silly (the diamond ring). But what else was Gael to give her? She is a millionaire herself, so buying her anything that she doesn't have OR CAN'T BUY herself is difficult. What was he to do? Give her nothing?
Again, I see your posts and I sort of agree. But he was in some sort of catch-22: give her nothing and he gets roasted (maybe even by her). Give her a ring and, well, it is silly too.

This isn't a commentary on Gael (or Elina) - most likely this is what she wanted and he did right by her.

I just don't get it personally.

Haven't you seen the Sex and the City movie? "See, this is why there's a ring. You have to have something to close the deal." So if there was no ring, Elina would have turned into a bridezilla, put a dead bird on her head, and been left at the altar, sadly to return to her lonely single-girl apartment and petulantly never speak to Gael for a year, only to fall back into his arms once she sees him in the glowing light of the custom walk-in closet he had built for her. So, just buy the ring and avoid the curse of the untraditional proposal.

I don't have an engagement ring. I would have always looked at it and seen a boat or a trip we could have had instead. It's also so baldly patriarchal to me, but if I loved jewelry, I probably wouldn't mind. An engagement ring just isn't me. But I see why other people like one. It's part of the traditional romantic gesture of a proposal. Some people just really love diamonds. It's a symbol, evidently one she values.

I'd be surprised if she wears it very long. Maybe in certain situations. Not just because of the price, but because that thing will cut the hell out of her and rip her clothes. So many women end up taking off their rock because it's impractical.

by meganfernandez

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:54 pm Wonder how long before it’s in the pawn shop?

Hell, she's keeping that thing no matter what.

by mmmm8

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:01 pm
Haven't you seen the Sex and the City movie? "See, this is why there's a ring. You have to have something to close the deal." So if there was no ring, Elina would have turned into a bridezilla, put a dead bird on her head, and been left at the altar, sadly to return to her lonely single-girl apartment and petulantly never speak to Gael for a year, only to fall back into his arms once she sees him in the glowing light of the custom walk-in closet he had built for her. So, just buy the ring and avoid the curse of the untraditional proposal.

Getting REALLY bored in quarantine, huh?

by meganfernandez

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:45 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:01 pm
Haven't you seen the Sex and the City movie? "See, this is why there's a ring. You have to have something to close the deal." So if there was no ring, Elina would have turned into a bridezilla, put a dead bird on her head, and been left at the altar, sadly to return to her lonely single-girl apartment and petulantly never speak to Gael for a year, only to fall back into his arms once she sees him in the glowing light of the custom walk-in closet he had built for her. So, just buy the ring and avoid the curse of the untraditional proposal.

Getting REALLY bored in quarantine, huh?

hahaha! I have seen that movie 15 times. I was in my 20s when the show came out. It was my religion.

by meganfernandez Mirka and Roger!

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:35 pm

by Deuce

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:58 pm Mirka and Roger!

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:35 pm

Carling Bassett/Robert Seguso.

by meganfernandez

Deuce wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:48 pm Carling Bassett/Robert Seguso.

Prides of Canada, right?

by Deuce

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:01 am

Deuce wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:48 pm Carling Bassett/Robert Seguso.

Prides of Canada, right?

Well... Carling was Canada's 'sweetheart' back in the '80s.
Seguso's American.
They had a tennis academy in Florida - but it's no longer active, as far as I know.
They had a couple of kids who were playing tennis at a decent level at one point.

Carling had troubles with eating disorders for many years - and she was unhealthily thin. I have no idea what her current condition is.

Here are a couple of interesting quotations from an interview done with Carling about 10 years ago...
Funny Tennis Memory:"I used to travel with Jimmy Connors a little bit and his group of boys. Jimmy…and Yannick Noah is great. Because I was kind of like the girl that was in the boy’s group or something. Without being a threat because I was never one to sleep with anybody or do anything bad.”

Fiercest Competitors Encountered: “You mean on a manipulation level too? On the outside? Chris Evert by far. Not a good person.”

by ti-amie

by ponchi101 A little bit complicated but I like it

by Deuce Roger created a monster with this 'personal logo' stuff.
I think it's all rather ridiculous, personally. I know there's money to be made with it (as if these players need MORE money)... really, though, it's just one more way to stroke an ego.

But if you're going to do it, at least wait until you get into the top 10 - or even top 5.

by ponchi101 I think that Tiger predated Roger with his logo.
And you must remember how Adidas made "logos" for both Lendl and Edberg that were sort of hidden in the design of the shirts. I liked Edberg's, Lendl's was a bit too High School for me.

by Deuce Yeah, maybe Tiger was first... and it spilled over to Roger because both with Nike...

Yes, I remember Edberg and Lendl. But that was pretty much just the design on some shirts that incorporated their initials. And it was just temporary.
Today, it's pure branding. Might as well do it with a hot iron.
Edberg and Lendl were both top 5 players, also. This is quite premature for Sinner.

Besides, any logo for Sinner should include a Bible and a Devil, no?

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:22 am I think that Tiger predated Roger with his logo.
And you must remember how Adidas made "logos" for both Lendl and Edberg that were sort of hidden in the design of the shirts. I liked Edberg's, Lendl's was a bit too High School for me.

Tiger? I mean yeah. But you missed a biggie in the logo discussion that predates both, that they were both modeled after...

I'm pulling your NBA fan card for a week for this. No Jazz, Nuggets or Spurs games for you all week!

by skatingfan I was thinking Jordan, but it's a silhouette, not his initials.

by ponchi101 What Skating says. I did not include Jordan because it was a silhouette.
There are plenty of logos around. My favorite is Kawhi's. In tennis, I have to admit that I think the best if Nole's. Simple and elegant.

And Ok, I will be grounded after I finish this Jazz/Suns game

by JazzNU It's a logo that is synonymous with him. Sold on every bit of merchandise Nike could think of. The Nike logo push for Tiger and Roger is based off of Jordan and no one else.

You're absolutely still grounded @ponchi.

by ponchi101 I was also wondering: are there any WTA players with a logo? The closest I can think of is Venus' ELEVEN, and that is more her brand, not her directly. Does Serena have a logo? She should, being with Nike. Naomi? I know her shoes at the Aussie had a small Japanese figure, but I can't recall a logo.

by the Moz Martina Sr had a logo maybe late 80s to early 90s??

by ponchi101 Quick search for MARTINA NAVRATILOVA LOGO comes up blank. I don't recall it.

by the Moz https://sicovers.com/featured/usa-marti ... amed-print

by ponchi101 Ok, there you go, on the head band. Completely forgot about it.

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:29 pm I was also wondering: are there any WTA players with a logo? The closest I can think of is Venus' ELEVEN, and that is more her brand, not her directly. Does Serena have a logo? She should, being with Nike. Naomi? I know her shoes at the Aussie had a small Japanese figure, but I can't recall a logo.

I don't think many of the women are that hung up on the logo thing. Benchwarmers in the NBA are coming up with logos at the moment. It's a thing right now. I assume that's why Jannik is "finally" doing one.

Ash Barty has a logo, it's new, something someone came up with for her in 2021. And Eleven is Venus' logo. You're applying more rules to this than is required. RF is a brand too, just one that Nike created. Part of what is funny about Jannik "finally" coming up with a logo and these benchwarmers doing it, is that it's not for much, it may be down the line, but right now, doesn't appear to be some moneymaker, just planning ahead I guess.

Also, you're saying Kawhi is your favorite, but you discounted MJ's logo, meanwhile, Kawhi's logo is a creative hand that identifies him but that is still stylized into a claw/klaw and was superimposed over MJ's logo on the Jordan shoe for Kawhi. Like I said, applying too many rules to this. A logo is a logo. If it is associated with one person, it's a personal logo. MJ's logo is of him, doesn't get much more personal than that.

by JazzNU This is a bit unfortunate, coming at a time where their tech is being use more not less. I don't get the fox thing for Jannik.

by ponchi101 That was going to be my next question. Why the fox? The only connection I can make is that he is a redhead and foxes are reddish too.

by skatingfan

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 5:22 pm That was going to be my next question. Why the fox? The only connection I can make is that he is a redhead and foxes are reddish too.

Apparently he's fox like - foxy - devious maybe? I don't know.

What is his nickname?
Sinner is known as “The Fox” or “Jan the Fox.”

https://www.tennismajors.com/our-featur ... 83959.html

by JazzNU I have no idea. I feel like they are assuming it is obvious, so do people think he looks like a fox? Is sly like a fox? Is crazy like a fox? I don't understand the nickname. I figured it was something already existing to make a logo out of it. But, for real, I'm missing what it is. There are things that I get what they are going for, I just don't agree that it's an apt nickname. Here, I have no idea where fox entered the conversation.

by Suliso Qiang Wang

by JazzNU

by ti-amie What?!

by ponchi101 No. Not: WHAT?! WHAT???!!!!

by the Moz

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:08 am What?!

I miss the Dokic!!

by Suliso

by ponchi101 I was curious about the charity that Davidodich-Fokina (we need to shorten that to ADF, please) is supporting, ADOPTAS.ORG. So I went to it and found out he is not supporting it, he owns it. The entire website is his, and it is sort of a database on animal shelters and how to adopt pets (dogs, cats and others).
My hat off to this guy. Move to the front group of players to respect, Mr ADF.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:36 pm I was curious about the charity that Davidodich-Fokina (we need to shorten that to ADF, please) is supporting, ADOPTAS.ORG. So I went to it and found out he is not supporting it, he owns it. The entire website is his, and it is sort of a database on animal shelters and how to adopt pets (dogs, cats and others).
My hat off to this guy. Move to the front group of players to respect, Mr ADF.

^ Good for him.
And he's done this before becoming really famous - so we know that it's genuine, and not just a phony public relations stunt.

(I just hope he doesn't start bringing the animals to his matches as fashion accessories! )

by Suliso Astra Sharma with her parents

by Suliso Fernandez



Muguruza

by JazzNU Fantastic! Hopefully others will share it more publicly as well.

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:36 pm I was curious about the charity that Davidodich-Fokina (we need to shorten that to ADF, please) is supporting,
Move to the front group of players to respect, Mr ADF.

Not remotely a fan of this ADF stuff. It has no rhythm or flow to it. Might I suggest we just take a note from Alex, he calls himself FOKI on his social media accounts. Way more personality in that.

by ponchi101 So sure, let him be FOKI.
Close to being a banned word, but as long as we don't have to type down the whole name, I'm in.

by Deuce

JazzNU wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 10:12 pm Fantastic! Hopefully others will share it more publicly as well.

Strange way to announce she's getting vaccinated - by citing it as the reason she's pulling out of a tournament.
I'm not aware that getting vaccinated and playing tennis are mutually exclusive.
It might even discourage some people who are on the fence about getting vaccinated... Maybe even give a bit of fuel to the 'anti-vaxxers', who may say "See - the adverse effects of the vaccine are significant to the degree that you can't play tennis."

by Suliso Getting vaccinated in US kind of prevents one from playing a tournament in Germany at the same time.

by ponchi101 If she is going Pfizer, she has to return, at the latest, 21 days later. If Moderna, 28. So maybe she should ask for J&J, which right now is not available.

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 2:04 pm Getting vaccinated in US kind of prevents one from playing a tournament in Germany at the same time.

I didn't see that she's getting vaccinated in the US.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 2:15 pm If she is going Pfizer, she has to return, at the latest, 21 days later. If Moderna, 28. So maybe she should ask for J&J, which right now is not available.

Is the US still giving the 2nd doses roughly 3 - 4 weeks following the 1st dose?
Because many countries are giving the 2nd dose only 2 or 3 - or even 4 - MONTHS after the 1st.

by mmmm8

Deuce wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:33 pm

Suliso wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 2:04 pm Getting vaccinated in US kind of prevents one from playing a tournament in Germany at the same time.

I didn't see that she's getting vaccinated in the US.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 2:15 pm If she is going Pfizer, she has to return, at the latest, 21 days later. If Moderna, 28. So maybe she should ask for J&J, which right now is not available.

Is the US still giving the 2nd doses roughly 3 - 4 weeks following the 1st dose?
Because many countries are giving the 2nd dose only 2 or 3 - or even 4 - MONTHS after the 1st.

She is currently in Miami (where she lives).

As Ponchi said, 3 weeks for Pfizer, 4 weeks for Moderna. I've only heard of the UK and Denmark approving a delay on the second dose.

by Deuce

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:39 pm

Deuce wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:33 pm Is the US still giving the 2nd doses roughly 3 - 4 weeks following the 1st dose?
Because many countries are giving the 2nd dose only 2 or 3 - or even 4 - MONTHS after the 1st.

As Ponchi said, 3 weeks for Pfizer, 4 weeks for Moderna. I've only heard of the UK and Denmark approving a delay on the second dose.

And Canada. Up to 4 months here.

by skatingfan

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:39 pm She is currently in Miami (where she lives).

As Ponchi said, 3 weeks for Pfizer, 4 weeks for Moderna. I've only heard of the UK and Denmark approving a delay on the second dose.

Canada has a four month delay between doses.

by the Moz I was vaccinated w/ Pfizer 14 Apr and my second dose is slated for 14 Aug

by Suliso Canada is also among the countries doing rather poorly in vaccination.

by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:08 am Canada is also among the countries doing rather poorly in vaccination.

^ Yes.
The 4 month interval was because the powers that be decided that it was better to vaccinate more people with one dose than to vaccinate fewer people with 2 doses.
In the end, we've vaccinated fewer people with one dose!

by mmmm8 Thanks, haven't seen the news on Canada!

by atlpam US trying to stick with 3 weeks for Pfizer and 4 for Moderna, but say as long as you get second dose within 6 weeks (42 days) you shouldn’t need to start over.

by JazzNU

by ti-amie

by meganfernandez

by ponchi101 I had actually not seen the real score. If you mess a 15-30 for a 30-15, ok, a one point mistake. 30-15 when it was 0-40 means that chair umpire really has a lot to answer for.

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:57 am I had actually not seen the real score. If you mess a 15-30 for a 30-15, ok, a one point mistake. 30-15 when it was 0-40 means that chair umpire really has a lot to answer for.

Oh, it was an abomination, and if the WTA is really blaming her, I'm speechless.

By the way, 15-30 to 30-15 is a two-point swing. Even a one-point mistake is unforgivable in the pros and there should be recourse for any player encumbered by such. Sharma has a very reasonable explanation for not catching it immediately and why she couldn't reconstruct the game at the end of it, which was her only hope for convincing the chair umpire that she was right. The TV commentator caught it right away. All the viewers knew it. I'm still bothered by this! It was awful.

by the Moz That umpire should get a red card and 3 match ban

by Liamvalid Can she sue for loss of earnings? Thatd teach them!

by meganfernandez

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 1:51 pm Can she sue for loss of earnings? Thatd teach them!

that was my thought - the WTA should give her points and prize money for that round at least, and maybe any points she was defending that week (I think she was defending title points). It's perfectly reasonable and doesn't take away anything from another player. The score should have been 2-0 Sharma in the third set, and instead it was 1-1 and she didn't win another game. It obviously affected her. It was a grave injustice in the context of competition.

by meganfernandez I never knew about this match! Wild to watch Djokovic flail and trip and twist. It's like he's possessed.

by JazzNU From last week during the Monte Carlo Masters

by meganfernandez Vika is giving Svitolina a run for her money in the alter ego department.

by ptmcmahon Yeah might not have gotten that one without the caption. Certainly would have taken a minute or two.

by Suliso

by ti-amie Did Vika get fillers for her lips?

Naomi has been taking some nice pictures lately.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:17 pm Did Vika get fillers for her lips?

Naomi has been taking some nice pictures lately.

I don't think so. If she did, then she's been getting them regularly.

And FWIW, I don't find Vika hard to recognize here. There's a better photo than this imo, where I find her harder to recognize. But in general, the lighting on this set of photos is much different than most photos she posts, like she added a sepia filter and it's making her look slightly less like herself in this set of photos.

by ponchi101 (Oh, no, how unusual, Nazi Ponchi is back with his same ol' complaints...).
Too much make up on Vika, who has a gorgeous complexion. No need for that.
And Naomi is some sort of photographer's dream job. Always perfect.

by Suliso Naomi indeed photographs great. Only Muguruza is even better.

by JazzNU

by ti-amie TBH I never noticed Sinner's hair. Andrey's hair, on the other hand, has been displayed in all its magnificence for a long time.

by Suliso Been a very long time since I've noticed her picture anywhere.

by ponchi101 That is one elaborate hair job. Pretty cool

by meganfernandez

Probably talking about this... I don't know anything about Dr. Umar - from what I gather, he is controversial. The jist is he wanted Naomi to represent Haiti in the Olympics because, he said, her African DNA and her father's training made her an athlete, not her Japanese background, and because Japan doesn't care about her. I'm not informed at all on these issues, and I hope I'm not stepping in something by posting this. I found it noteworthy as a tennis topic given that his rant had a big audience on the Breakfast Club and that she acknowledged it.

by ponchi101 A sensitive issue, indeed. Talking about DNA as what makes you "different" can lead to some not-desirable places.
If just her African DNA were the key to her success, there would be a lot of other African tennis players on the tour. It is a combination, like all the other world class athletes in the world. Your DNA, your economic capabilities to engage in proper training, the availability of such training facilities, your parents' means to provide you with proper nutrition, health care systems, etc.
No "good" DNA and you don't make it (Naomi's sister, with the same DNA, did not make it). But no tennis court nearby to train, no money to buy the racket, no proper teachers around, and you don't make it either.
Sidebar: if Japan does not care for her, then all those endorsement deals are foolish. And I doubt those people are that dumb (the endorsers).

by JazzNU I don't find it a noteworthy tennis topic and Naomi is dismissing it, not acknowledging it as a topic up for debate. It being heard on the Breakfast Club hardly makes it something of note. Not only do I not think this is a good forum to discuss a topic such as this, it's also generally not a topic that is deserving of attention.

by ti-amie Dustin Brown had the opposite problem. He wanted to play for Jamaica but as he found out and many Jamaican's told me the country doesn't support its athletes. They like the world wide attention their athletes garner for their country but that's as far as it goes. Haiti is not in a position to support a world class athlete like Naomi and they know it. Without going into a lot of detail this is just going public with something that has probably been dealt with already.

I'm so out of it I have no idea what the Breakfast Club is.

by ponchi101

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:58 pm ...

I'm so out of it I have no idea what the Breakfast Club is.

To me: Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall, in a John Hughes movie that I love.
Makes two of us.

by Suliso Me and Ponchi not knowing is obvious as surely it's some kind of US TV show.

by JTContinental I'm American and also don't know what it is, either--maybe a podcast?

by meganfernandez

JTContinental wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:19 pm I'm American and also don't know what it is, either--maybe a podcast?

Breakfast Club is a widely syndicated morning radio show.

by JTContinental That explains it--I bet it's been at least 20 years since I've listened to the radio.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:58 pm
I'm so out of it I have no idea what the Breakfast Club is.

The radio show that Charlamagne co-hosts. You can ask your daughter, I can't imagine she doesn't know. But message me if she doesn't.

by meganfernandez

JTContinental wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 2:12 am That explains it--I bet it's been at least 20 years since I've listened to the radio.

Me neither, and I work for a radio company. But in the smaller publishing division. And that's why I haven't had a raise in 15 years - because hardly anyone listens to the radio anymore. I wouldn't say it's a dying business but it has to reinvent itself.

by ponchi101

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 1:54 pm ...

Me neither, and I work for a radio company. But in the smaller publishing division. And that's why I haven't had a raise in 15 years - because hardly anyone listens to the radio anymore. I wouldn't say it's a dying business but it has to reinvent itself.

I hadn't thought of that. Indeed, originally radio was to listen to music but how can you compete with streaming services for which kids pay to listen to anything all the time? And the same generation that gets its news from FB?

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 2:33 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 1:54 pm ...

Me neither, and I work for a radio company. But in the smaller publishing division. And that's why I haven't had a raise in 15 years - because hardly anyone listens to the radio anymore. I wouldn't say it's a dying business but it has to reinvent itself.

I hadn't thought of that. Indeed, originally radio was to listen to music but how can you compete with streaming services for which kids pay to listen to anything all the time? And the same generation that gets its news from FB?

Wish I had the answer. Maybe I'd be making a lot more money. Someone listens to the radio because our top DJ in LA, Big Boi, went to a competitor a few years ago and it was a massive hit to our business. So radio is still enough of a thing to complicate my life.

There's a ton of news and talk on the radio, too. Lots of drive time still. Our founder/CEO led the charge to get the radio chip in our cell phones turned on. Everyone's phone has one, but it isn't activated in the US. It is in other countries. That could have been a game-changer. People could have streamed over radio waves instead of using their data. He hitched the concept to the Emergency Broadcast System, too - in an emergency, satellites might be jammed, but you could still get news and communicate over the radio and access it on your phone. We started a company called Next Radio and got most of the phone makers to turn on the chip but I don't know if we ever got Apple to do it. And we needed Apple. I think the company just didn't work out for whatever reason. It seemed like a good idea, but maybe it wasn't marketable. Or maybe we failed. I don't know.

A lot of radio stations have done well engaging their audiences online with content.

by ti-amie Another tell on my age.

I try to listen to the all news radio station here in NYC once a day. there's a lot of local news the aggregators and on line news outlets miss. I also find radio very relaxing.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:11 pm Another tell on my age.

I try to listen to the all news radio station here in NYC once a day. there's a lot of local news the aggregators and on line news outlets miss. I also find radio very relaxing.

I listen to 1010 WINS when I'm in the area, it's great. It's the sister station to 1060 KYW here. Traffic and news, a great way to stay informed. I listen to it for at least a few minutes most times I'm in the car, but sometimes just stay on the channel.

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:06 pm

ti-amie wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:11 pm Another tell on my age.

I try to listen to the all news radio station here in NYC once a day. there's a lot of local news the aggregators and on line news outlets miss. I also find radio very relaxing.

I listen to 1010 WINS when I'm in the area, it's great. It's the sister station to 1060 KYW here. Traffic and news, a great way to stay informed. I listen to it for at least a few minutes most times I'm in the car, but sometimes just stay on the channel.

That's the station! 22 minutes and we give you the whole world!

by JazzNU Ugo Humbert with his mom

by the Moz

JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:14 pm Ugo Humbert with his mom

His mom is Diane von Furstenberg?

by meganfernandez

the Moz wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 10:54 pm

JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:14 pm Ugo Humbert with his mom

His mom is Diane von Furstenberg?

I got a little Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham.

by ponchi101

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:45 pm ...

I got a little Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham.

She should be so lucky.
Don't you dare mess with Annie Savoy! DON'T!!!

(Total crush with that woman throughout her entire career, and Annie was the perfect dream INTELLIGENT girl)

by ponchi101 Alexander Dolgopolov has retired.
A fun player to watch. I don't know what he could do related to tennis. I would not hire him as a coach with the insane game he played and the suspect strategies, and I don't know if he could even be a good hitting partner. Being Ukranian I wonder how much potential as an analyst or commentator can he have.
On the other hand: he reached #13 and won Cincy. Much more than a lot of other players.
I wish him well. He was truly different.

by Suliso Being different reminds me of Fabrice Santoro. Wonder what is he doing now.

by ponchi101 Santoro has been doing commentating and he was a beloved figure in France, so he had it made already. Dolgo being Ukranian has a much smaller market. But yes, as you say, the "different" label can cut both ways. I don't know if Santoro would be a good coach, and that may cut some opportunities.

by JazzNU

Suliso wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 4:15 pm Being different reminds me of Fabrice Santoro. Wonder what is he doing now.

Wonder what Fabrice is doing now or Alexandr? If Fabrice, he does tennis coverage on whatever the main tennis channels are in France. And when RG rolls around, look for him to do some of the on-court interviews.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 4:13 pm Alexander Dolgopolov has retired.
A fun player to watch. I don't know what he could do related to tennis. I would not hire him as a coach with the insane game he played and the suspect strategies, and I don't know if he could even be a good hitting partner. Being Ukranian I wonder how much potential as an analyst or commentator can he have.
On the other hand: he reached #13 and won Cincy. Much more than a lot of other players.
I wish him well. He was truly different.

Yes, he was fun to watch. He's in the group - with Arazi and Rios and a few others - of players who had tremendous natural ability, but who could never unlock their enormous potential in anything resembling a consistent manner. These players were very creative, because they could hit any shot from anywhere on the court. And because they had so many options available to them, they would too often choose a next to impossible shot - ergo the criticisms of their on-court strategy.
Shapovalov could end up belonging to that group of flashy, naturally talented players who never fulfilled their potential if he doesn't put a more consistent game together.

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 4:21 pm Santoro has been doing commentating and he was a beloved figure in France, so he had it made already. Dolgo being Ukranian has a much smaller market. But yes, as you say, the "different" label can cut both ways. I don't know if Santoro would be a good coach, and that may cut some opportunities.

If Dolgo's English or whatever language broadcast he'd be on is good enough, he's not limited to Ukraine's market. A much less famous Ukrainian player does regular English language commentary right now. If she can, he should walk into it with no issues if that's what he wants.

Not sure Fabrice is coaching anyone now, but almost positive he was coaching Raonic for a bit a couple of years ago. But Milos has as many coaches as he does injuries.

by mmmm8 Dolgopolov also had an autoimmune disease (Gilbert's syndrome) he fought throughout his career that limited him.

Also, I was once in a group interview with him where he talked about car racing tracks for like 10 minutes with a ton of passion and this says he races, (https://www.atptour.com/en/news/dolgopo ... april-2021)

And his instagram says he's designing and renting out AirBnBs in Kyiv, so there's that

by ponchi101 Good for him. I remember her had a Nissan GT, a pseudo monster of a car that is basically a street legal racer. So, if he likes to race, there are plenty of categories to choose from. But if he races like he plays tennis, a menace to all other drivers.

by ti-amie Wasn't Dolgo also designing and/or playing video games? That is a huge revenue source.

by Suliso Daria Gavrilova






Iga Swiatek

by ti-amie

by ti-amie
Petra Kvitova


Serena with Alexis, Sr and Jr


Jannik making pizza


Ajla and Matteo

More here
https://www.outsidetheball.com/top-10s- ... l-30-2021/

by meganfernandez

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 6:45 pm

Tsitsipas could score an invitation now. You know he'd be up for wearing something crazy.

by JazzNU

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:15 pm Tsitsipas could score an invitation now. You know he'd be up for wearing something crazy.

And it would get next to no attention outside of Greek and tennis media because no one else knows who the heck he is.

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:36 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:15 pm Tsitsipas could score an invitation now. You know he'd be up for wearing something crazy.

And it would get next to no attention outside of Greek and tennis media because no one else knows who the heck he is.

That's tight but it's right.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:39 pm

JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:36 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:15 pm Tsitsipas could score an invitation now. You know he'd be up for wearing something crazy.

And it would get next to no attention outside of Greek and tennis media because no one else knows who the heck he is.

That's tight but it's right.

Listen, Naomi is easily getting 4th place mentions as the co-host here. Easily. I'm guessing most tennis fans think it'd be second or third among those announced, but no it's easily fourth. So Tsitsipas? Not remotely on anyone's radar.

by Suliso It all depends where you live. I've never heard of any of the other co-hosts...

As for Tsitsipas a Greek TV show would be a lot more appropriate. At least until he wins USO couple times or something like that.

by meganfernandez

JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:36 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:15 pm Tsitsipas could score an invitation now. You know he'd be up for wearing something crazy.

And it would get next to no attention outside of Greek and tennis media because no one else knows who the heck he is.

Right. The media hates discovering the next big thing who is mythologically good looking.

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:57 pm It all depends where you live. I've never heard of any of the other co-hosts...

As for Tsitsipas a Greek TV show would be a lot more appropriate. At least until he wins USO couple times or something like that.

Didn't realize everyone here takes the Met Gala guest list deadly seriously.

by JazzNU

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:57 pm It all depends where you live. I've never heard of any of the other co-hosts...

As for Tsitsipas a Greek TV show would be a lot more appropriate. At least until he wins USO couple times or something like that.

That's not where you live though @suliso, but your interests. Not knowing the one isn't surprising. The other two are have large international followings, with one qualifying for you for living under a rock status if you haven't heard of her.

by JazzNU

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 8:09 pm
Right. The media hates discovering the next big thing who is mythologically good looking.

One, he's not that good looking especially in a Met Gala context. And two, if you think Stefanos is the next big thing outside of tennis, you think much more of him than I do.

Not taking Met Gala "deadly serious" but a few of us have posted about it on the forum for several years so we do know it well. Stefanos wouldn't register a blip on the radar unless he scores a date that is much, much more famous than he is.

by JazzNU He looks good

by ponchi101 He actually looks fitter than when he was on tour.

by JTContinental Significantly so

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 9:07 pm

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 8:09 pm
Right. The media hates discovering the next big thing who is mythologically good looking.

One, he's not that good looking especially in a Met Gala context. And two, if you think Stefanos is the next big thing outside of tennis, you think much more of him than I do.

Not taking Met Gala "deadly serious" but a few of us have posted about it on the forum for several years so we do know it well. Stefanos wouldn't register a blip on the radar unless he scores a date that is much, much more famous than he is.

And she shows up in some barely there gown made by some designer on the make. Or Versace.

by ponchi101 ^

by JTContinental Barbora Strycova has announced her retirement--she's hoping to play one more match at Wimbledon

by ponchi101 Any reasons? Can't be age.

by JTContinental She's pregnant--expecting a child in September.

Clarification: She's retiring now, but she's looking to play her last match in Wimbledon 2022

by Suliso Pregnant yes, but of course age (35) is rather advanced as well. Don't look at Serena, it's still very unusual for women to play at high level longer than that.

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 8:23 pm Pregnant yes, but of course age (35) is rather advanced as well. Don't look at Serena, it's still very unusual for women to play at high level longer than that.

I think she would still be highly competitive in doubles. Hope she comes back.

by ponchi101 I thought she was way younger. You are right, that is a bit too long on the tour.

by ptmcmahon I thought she'd already announced her retirement at end of last year...didn't even realize she'd played 2-3 matches. But I checked and that was just her Fed Cup retirement announcement.. and I'd applied it to her playing at all.

by meganfernandez

by ponchi101 "Had I (expletive) in my pants it would have not been so embarrassing..."

by ti-amie (Muted nature sounds in the background as the bird walks almost silently through the water)

David Attenborough narrates:
"The crane sees a fish and positions itself to try and ensure a catch"

by oliver0001 https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/ga ... -info-tabs


She’s back So for all Fans of A. Stevenson, there is still hope for the next couple of decades.

by ponchi101 You know what? I take my hat off. By 74 I hope I will be able to grease the wheels of my own wheel-chair. Playing a tennis match at that level, even if she loses 0 & 0, I admire.

by ti-amie

by ti-amie

by ti-amie

by ptmcmahon

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 08, 2021 2:01 pm You know what? I take my hat off. By 74 I hope I will be able to grease the wheels of my own wheel-chair. Playing a tennis match at that level, even if she loses 0 & 0, I admire.

My life plan has to stay in decent shape, maybe even peak when I am old - finally have my star athlete period. For example, I run a lot, so my goal is by the time I'm in my 60s and 70s to still be running and be able to win a bunch of races.

by the Moz Serena's hand on her waist is the kind attitude I can get behind

by meganfernandez Is Aga coming back?

by ponchi101 Age should not be a problem, but unless she learns how to hit harder, I would not bother. Her great control game is not going to bode well against the new power.

by Suliso Anett Kontaveit

by ponchi101 NEW RULE. Pictures of pretty players walking around with those ghastly flops must be edited and cropped above the ankle.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 4:34 pm NEW RULE. Pictures of pretty players walking around with those ghastly flops must be edited and cropped above the ankle.

^ But you said you're a foot guy .

by ponchi101 Pretty feet in pretty shoes.
I am also a guy that says that CROCS should be sold in the contraceptives' aisle...

by Suliso Anastasia Potapova

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 3:57 am Pretty feet in pretty shoes.
I am also a guy that says that CROCS should be sold in the contraceptives' aisle...

There are websites for this, Ponchi.

by ponchi101

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 9:27 pm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 3:57 am Pretty feet in pretty shoes.
....

There are websites for this, Ponchi.

And the link is where...?
(No, don't. I really don't want to ban you AND MYSELF over such silly matters )

by Suliso Shopping in Rome

by Suliso Few pictures of Caroline Wozniacki. Her daughter is due in June.







She has so many properties that hard to judge where home really is, but this one in Monaco.

by Fastbackss Due next month? Geez - if you had me guess I would have added another 2 months.

All those pictures are lovely. She always exudes such genuine happiness in her pictures

by Suliso With the usual caveat that there is no way for us to truly know, she seems to be married happily and the pregnancy was very much desired.

by Suliso Serena and family

by ti-amie Woz, if that is a truly current picture, has only gained baby weight. Some women can do that.

#jealous

by meganfernandez Another parent on tour...

by Suliso

by Deuce

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 5:54 pm Another parent on tour...

If Kei had balls that big, he'd be a permanent member of the top 10.
It's frustrating that he lacks the self-confidence and 'killer instinct' on court - that's the only thing that's been holding him back from a regular spot in the top 10.

by oliver0001 If she makes it on the tour, there will be lots of fun pronouncing her name.
https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/ka ... /overview/

by meganfernandez

oliver0001 wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 7:43 am If she makes it on the tour, there will be lots of fun pronouncing her name.
https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/ka ... /overview/

All the umpires will quit. I had to take a breath halfway through. I think it's easy to pronounce in that you just say every vowel straight-up, there's no trickiness to American English speakers. I can hang in there until "hena."

by ponchi101 Cut to the chase. Let's just call her KA. As long as she doesn't start dating Davidovich Fokina and they go for some silly FOKI-KA or KA-FOKI combo, it should go well.

by ponchi101

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 3:00 am ...
If Kei had balls that big, he'd be a permanent member of the top 10.
It's frustrating that he lacks the self-confidence and 'killer instinct' on court - that's the only thing that's been holding him back from a regular spot in the top 10.

Penguins don't have killer instincts.
I say it is the size. He is an inline 6 in a world of V8's. There is a limit to how much you can get out of that.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 2:11 pm

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 3:00 am ...
If Kei had balls that big, he'd be a permanent member of the top 10.
It's frustrating that he lacks the self-confidence and 'killer instinct' on court - that's the only thing that's been holding him back from a regular spot in the top 10.

Penguins don't have killer instincts.
I say it is the size. He is an inline 6 in a world of V8's. There is a limit to how much you can get out of that.

Diego, Ferrer, Henin, Coetzer, and several others are smaller than Nishikori.
'It's not the size of the person in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the person.'

.

by Suliso Diego is not going to win any Slams either and neither did Ferrer.

by ponchi101

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 7:25 pm ...
Diego, Ferrer, Henin, Coetzer, and several others are smaller than Nishikori.
'It's not the size of the person in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the person.'

.

Serious question: you think Ferrer did not have a killer instinct? 27 titles, one Slam final, all of them in the era of the three monsters?
An incredible career, I think we can all agree to that, yet, he was never able to win a big one. And this was a man that basically had to be told the match was over before he would stop trying.
Size is so important. It cuts both ways: being under 6 feet makes it very difficult. Being over 6'6" too.

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote:

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 7:25 pm ...
Diego, Ferrer, Henin, Coetzer, and several others are smaller than Nishikori.
'It's not the size of the person in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the person.'

.

Serious question: you think Ferrer did not have a killer instinct? 27 titles, one Slam final, all of them in the era of the three monsters?
An incredible career, I think we can all agree to that, yet, he was never able to win a big one. And this was a man that basically had to be told the match was over before he would stop trying.
Size is so important. It cuts both ways: being under 6 feet makes it very difficult. Being over 6'6" too.

I don’t think a killer instinct differentiates anyone in the top 10, 20… maybe 100. If someone gets that far, they have enough killer instinct and competitive fire. Ferrer didn’t have a weapon to beat the guys ahead of him, IMO. Probably not a big-enough serve. He had a great career, though. Great player. Just not quite as good as the others ahead of him. Ever.


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by Deuce

Suliso wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 7:49 pm Diego is not going to win any Slams either and neither did Ferrer.

I never mentioned winning Majors - so I have no idea where that comes from.
Both Shwartzman and Ferrer have/had better careers than Nishikori, even though both are smaller than Nishikori. And so, as I said - when you have the physical talent (as Nishikori obviously has) it's not about size or physical strength - it's about confidence, determination, 'killer instinct', etc. These are the elements (all very related to one another) that Nishikori lacks. If he had them, he'd be a regular top 10 player.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 9:23 pm

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue May 18, 2021 7:25 pm ...
Diego, Ferrer, Henin, Coetzer, and several others are smaller than Nishikori.
'It's not the size of the person in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the person.'

.

Serious question: you think Ferrer did not have a killer instinct? 27 titles, one Slam final, all of them in the era of the three monsters?
An incredible career, I think we can all agree to that, yet, he was never able to win a big one. And this was a man that basically had to be told the match was over before he would stop trying.
Size is so important. It cuts both ways: being under 6 feet makes it very difficult. Being over 6'6" too.

Umm... I thought it was pretty clear that what I'm saying is that the physically small players I mentioned (including Ferrer) obviously have/had more confidence and 'killer instinct' than Nishikori has - and that's exactly why they've had better careers than Nishikori.

by Deuce

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 2:28 am
I don’t think a killer instinct differentiates anyone in the top 10, 20… maybe 100. If someone gets that far, they have enough killer instinct and competitive fire.

I think that confidence, determination, focus, concentration, desire are exactly the elements which set players in the top 50 or 100 apart from each other. They all have a very similar level of physical ability (perhaps not the in the exact same areas - one's backhand could be better or worse than another's, etc., but the overall level of physical talent is very similar). What distinguishes them from one another is their mental strengths and weaknesses. Players themselves have been saying this for decades.

Take a look at how Nadal and Djokovic still can come back after being down in a match vs. a top player. This confidence and determination is what sets the top 3 or 4 or 5 apart from the rest of the pack. The same can be said for different 'sections' throughout the top 50, at least - it's mental strengths/weaknesses that make the difference the majority of the time.
There are varying degrees of confidence, determination, drive, killer instinct, etc. Among the top 50 - maybe even top 100 -, the higher the degree of these elements a given player possesses, the more success he/she will have.

by Liamvalid I always thought Nishikori’s problem came from his physical health-he always seemed to build up a head of steam but them get injured and take time out. That could stem from his size I guess but I’ve never followed him enough to take much note. I did see the odd match where he appeared to play like a potential slam winner so the talent is obviously there.

Nishikori has won 12 titles to Diego’s 4, won 24m dollars to Diego’s 10m and has been higher ranked, so I disagree that Diego has had a better career. To me Diego also has been in positions where he is on a good run, looks like he might take a slam or reach a final, but then take a bad unexpected loss to someone

by meganfernandez

Deuce wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 2:41 am

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 2:28 am
I don’t think a killer instinct differentiates anyone in the top 10, 20… maybe 100. If someone gets that far, they have enough killer instinct and competitive fire.

I think that confidence, determination, focus, concentration, desire are exactly the elements which set players in the top 50 or 100 apart from each other. They all have a very similar level of physical ability (perhaps not the in the exact same areas - one's backhand could be better or worse than another's, etc., but the overall level of physical talent is very similar). What distinguishes them from one another is their mental strengths and weaknesses. Players themselves have been saying this for decades.

Take a look at how Nadal and Djokovic still can come back after being down in a match vs. a top player. This confidence and determination is what sets the top 3 or 4 or 5 apart from the rest of the pack. The same can be said for different 'sections' throughout the top 50, at least - it's mental strengths/weaknesses that make the difference the majority of the time.
There are varying degrees of confidence, determination, drive, killer instinct, etc. Among the top 50 - maybe even top 100 -, the higher the degree of these elements a given player possesses, the more success he/she will have.

I think we're talking about the same thing. When I hear killer instinct, I think of bloodlust motivating someone more than anything, like a boxer. Wanting to beat someone down. I don't think tennis players think like that. They try to play their best game and don't want to lose, but they aren't motivated by destroying someone else. I don't think you can play your best game if that's your focus. Maybe some people can.

I do think aspects of technique can separate people at that level, not just mental stuff. The serve in particular. And also experience. For instance, I think Isner is mentally strong and has big-match experience, but he just doesn't have the ground game (or maybe the stamina?) to break serve enough, don't you think?

by Deuce

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 1:18 pm I think we're talking about the same thing. When I hear killer instinct, I think of bloodlust motivating someone more than anything, like a boxer. Wanting to beat someone down. I don't think tennis players think like that. They try to play their best game and don't want to lose, but they aren't motivated by destroying someone else. I don't think you can play your best game if that's your focus. Maybe some people can.

I view 'killer instinct' as not wanting to necessarily destroy an opponent, but as digging down deep and finding that extra level when you need it.
Back in the 80s, though, the rivalries were such that several players definitely wanted to destroy their opponents. Fortunately for fans, the parity among the top players was such that it rarely produced one-sided matches.
The rivalries today are much, much friendlier than they were back then - there is no comparison.

meganfernandez wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 1:18 pm I do think aspects of technique can separate people at that level, not just mental stuff. The serve in particular. And also experience. For instance, I think Isner is mentally strong and has big-match experience, but he just doesn't have the ground game (or maybe the stamina?) to break serve enough, don't you think?

There are obviously differences in technique, or physical ability - as I mentioned previously in saying that one player's backhand may be better than another's, etc. But the overall ability of the top 50 players is pretty similar (with the exception of the Nadal/Djokovic/Federer trio). Isner, for example, relies more on his serve than, say, someone like Dimitrov... but Dimitrov relies more on his groundstroke abilities than does Isner. I believe that the various (and different) physical abilities of the players in the top 50 or so pretty much balance out, and that the main difference between them is in their psychological approach - which includes confidence, determination, concentration, how they deal with the wind and sun, how they handle pressure, etc., etc.
You mention experience... I classify that as a psychological element, as well - how well a player uses his experience is to me a psychological factor more than it is a physical one.

by 3mlm

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 5:59 am I always thought Nishikori’s problem came from his physical health-he always seemed to build up a head of steam but them get injured and take time out. That could stem from his size I guess but I’ve never followed him enough to take much note. I did see the odd match where he appeared to play like a potential slam winner so the talent is obviously there.

Nishikori has won 12 titles to Diego’s 4, won 24m dollars to Diego’s 10m and has been higher ranked, so I disagree that Diego has had a better career. To me Diego also has been in positions where he is on a good run, looks like he might take a slam or reach a final, but then take a bad unexpected loss to someone

Nishikori was in the top 10 continuously from 9/8/14 to 8/19/17 and then again from 11/4/18 to 10/24/19. That seems like being a regular top 10 player in the prime of his career. Schwartzman didn't become a top 10 player until this year at age 28 so hardly qualifies as being a regular top 10 player.

by Deuce

3mlm wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 7:54 pm Nishikori was in the top 10 continuously from 9/8/14 to 8/19/17 and then again from 11/4/18 to 10/24/19. That seems like being a regular top 10 player in the prime of his career.

Seriously?!
Wow... I didn't know he was top 10 for that length of time. That had to be the most inconspicuous top 10 run in the history of the game.
I maintain that he doesn't have enough drive, determination, killer instinct - whatever one wishes to call it - if he had more of that, he'd have had a better career. He's always been kind of the wallflower type - not a 'take the bull by the horns' type - and I believe that has had an effect on his career.
Maybe the pressure he felt being the one that all of Japan pinned their hopes on affected him and made it more difficult for him to come out of his shell, so to speak.

3mlm wrote: ↑Wed May 19, 2021 7:54 pm Schwartzman didn't become a top 10 player until this year at age 28 so hardly qualifies as being a regular top 10 player.

Touché. It seems that Diego has been around the top 10 (let's say top 20) for a while, though. I suppose I'm guilty of comparing him to Nishikori in present times, where Diego is well ahead.

by Suliso Daria Kasatkina

by ponchi101 I have always thought she is a cutie. Lovely picture.

by ptmcmahon Is it just me or does she look about 12 in that picture?

by meganfernandez

ptmcmahon wrote:Is it just me or does she look about 12 in that picture?

Except for the tiki drink


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by meganfernandez Did not recognize her




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by Deuce Oh, how I wish tennis players would be content to be tennis players, and not have to try to prove that they are also fashion models.

I mean... tennis players get plenty of attention - that should be enough to quench anyone's appetite for attention without desperately seeking more through additional avenues.

This is the age of 'social media', though, which makes virtually everyone a very desperate attention seeker (I don't like the other, more common, term).

Sigh...

by Suliso I'm reading rumors that Venus Williams is dating Reilly Opelka who's 16 years her junior. If true that's one unusual couple.

by ti-amie I think the Osaka phenomenon is going to create more attempts by tennis players to present varying looks. Andreescu's mom is famous for her wigs and that's what I thought this was at first but a closer look changed my mind. I don't know if it's a blow out or some kind of permanent straightening technique that would last for 4-6 weeks. I love a super blunt bob.

Sorry Deuce I think chasing the endorsement dollars will give us more, not less of this. Let me know when she shows up with pink, or some other color hair.

by ponchi101 We want 20-something year old's to act 35.
We forget how young she, and a lot of others, are.

by Suliso In Monte Carlo

by Fastbackss I was shocked to be watching and see her there.

She could work on her flag-waving technique

by Suliso A couple of photos of Martina Hingis. She's showing off a luxury hotel from the region she's from where the Swiss national football team will be staying for the practice matches in preparation for the upcoming European Championships.

by ponchi101 That looks affordable. CHF500/night, no view of the gardens?

by Suliso Everything is affordable if someone else is paying.

by Suliso Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys

by Liamvalid

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 5:28 pm We want 20-something year old's to act 35.
We forget how young she, and a lot of others, are.

I really don’t get the criticism aimed at girls like Bianca. Like you said she’s 20, and most 20 year olds have a large social media presence, whatever their job. The nurses I know at work save lives during the day, take selfies at night! To criticise athletes for posting personal photos on Insta shows a massive ignorance on how the world works nowadays

by Suliso That's true, albeit not everyone does. Plenty of athletes in their 20-ties with very limited social media presence.

by ti-amie

by ti-amie

by Deuce

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 11:51 am

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 5:28 pm We want 20-something year old's to act 35.
We forget how young she, and a lot of others, are.

I really don’t get the criticism aimed at girls like Bianca. Like you said she’s 20, and most 20 year olds have a large social media presence, whatever their job. The nurses I know at work save lives during the day, take selfies at night! To criticise athletes for posting personal photos on Insta shows a massive ignorance on how the world works nowadays

I'm hardly ignorant of "how the world works nowadays" - I realize all too well how things are. And I find it quite unhealthy.
You can disagree with me all you like - but my conclusion, after a significant degree of studying the psychology and sociology of it, remains that it is very superficial, self-important, illusionary, and encourages a greater and greater insecurity - all of which I feel are unhealthy.
I suggest you look beyond the mere surface and read some psychologically and sociologically based perspectives on the effects of social media.
Selfies are called 'ego portraits' in French.

With the internet, people are anxiously seeking the public stage and their '15 minutes of fame' (which has, sadly, become far more than 15 minutes), as they desperately chase 'likes', 'views', and 'followers'.
"Fame is proof that the people are gullible." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

by Liamvalid

Deuce wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 11:09 pm

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 11:51 am

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 5:28 pm We want 20-something year old's to act 35.
We forget how young she, and a lot of others, are.

I really don’t get the criticism aimed at girls like Bianca. Like you said she’s 20, and most 20 year olds have a large social media presence, whatever their job. The nurses I know at work save lives during the day, take selfies at night! To criticise athletes for posting personal photos on Insta shows a massive ignorance on how the world works nowadays

I'm hardly ignorant of "how the world works nowadays" - I realize all too well how things are. And I find it quite unhealthy.
You can disagree with me all you like - but my conclusion, after a significant degree of studying the psychology and sociology of it, remains that it is very superficial, self-important, illusionary, and encourages a greater and greater insecurity - all of which I feel are unhealthy.
I suggest you look beyond the mere surface and read some psychologically and sociologically based perspectives on the effects of social media.
Selfies are called 'ego portraits' in French.

With the internet, people are anxiously seeking the public stage and their '15 minutes of fame' (which has, sadly, become far more than 15 minutes), as they desperately chase 'likes', 'views', and 'followers'.
"Fame is proof that the people are gullible." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Nah, I’m more likely to appreciate a nice photo and move on than spend my time studying the psychology of it. All different kinds of people use social media for different purposes. I like to post photos on Facebook as I live in a different city and my relatives like to see what I’m up to in life for example. Does this make me feel insecure, superficial? Definitely not. Does Bianca cry herself to sleep because she only gets a million likes on a certain post? Well we’d have to ask her that wouldn’t we.

by Deuce

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Tue May 25, 2021 7:26 am

Deuce wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 11:09 pm

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 11:51 am

I really don’t get the criticism aimed at girls like Bianca. Like you said she’s 20, and most 20 year olds have a large social media presence, whatever their job. The nurses I know at work save lives during the day, take selfies at night! To criticise athletes for posting personal photos on Insta shows a massive ignorance on how the world works nowadays

I'm hardly ignorant of "how the world works nowadays" - I realize all too well how things are. And I find it quite unhealthy.
You can disagree with me all you like - but my conclusion, after a significant degree of studying the psychology and sociology of it, remains that it is very superficial, self-important, illusionary, and encourages a greater and greater insecurity - all of which I feel are unhealthy.
I suggest you look beyond the mere surface and read some psychologically and sociologically based perspectives on the effects of social media.
Selfies are called 'ego portraits' in French.

With the internet, people are anxiously seeking the public stage and their '15 minutes of fame' (which has, sadly, become far more than 15 minutes), as they desperately chase 'likes', 'views', and 'followers'.
"Fame is proof that the people are gullible." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Nah, I’m more likely to appreciate a nice photo and move on than spend my time studying the psychology of it. All different kinds of people use social media for different purposes. I like to post photos on Facebook as I live in a different city and my relatives like to see what I’m up to in life for example. Does this make me feel insecure, superficial? Definitely not. Does Bianca cry herself to sleep because she only gets a million likes on a certain post? Well we’d have to ask her that wouldn’t we.

It’s far more complex than you make it out to be. You are literally only looking at the mere surface. It goes many levels deeper - and not in the silly way you describe with the crying, etc.
But - hey - you’re free to believe me or not; you’re free to choose to not read or study or learn more about it...
That being the case, though, you’re really not in a position to call ME ignorant on the subject.

by Liamvalid

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue May 25, 2021 10:21 am

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Tue May 25, 2021 7:26 am

Deuce wrote: ↑Mon May 24, 2021 11:09 pm
I'm hardly ignorant of "how the world works nowadays" - I realize all too well how things are. And I find it quite unhealthy.
You can disagree with me all you like - but my conclusion, after a significant degree of studying the psychology and sociology of it, remains that it is very superficial, self-important, illusionary, and encourages a greater and greater insecurity - all of which I feel are unhealthy.
I suggest you look beyond the mere surface and read some psychologically and sociologically based perspectives on the effects of social media.
Selfies are called 'ego portraits' in French.

With the internet, people are anxiously seeking the public stage and their '15 minutes of fame' (which has, sadly, become far more than 15 minutes), as they desperately chase 'likes', 'views', and 'followers'.
"Fame is proof that the people are gullible." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Nah, I’m more likely to appreciate a nice photo and move on than spend my time studying the psychology of it. All different kinds of people use social media for different purposes. I like to post photos on Facebook as I live in a different city and my relatives like to see what I’m up to in life for example. Does this make me feel insecure, superficial? Definitely not. Does Bianca cry herself to sleep because she only gets a million likes on a certain post? Well we’d have to ask her that wouldn’t we.

It’s far more complex than you make it out to be. You are literally only looking at the mere surface. It goes many levels deeper - and not in the silly way you describe with the crying, etc.
But - hey - you’re free to believe me or not; you’re free to choose to not read or study or learn more about it...
That being the case, though, you’re really not in a position to call ME ignorant on the subject.

Didn’t call you ignorant on the subject, if you have time to study psychology then fill your boots. I am saying you appear to be out of touch with how the younger generation operate. As you say there are many levels to this, and for many using social media as outlet is a good positive thing for them. But if seeing these photos annoys you so much, maybe the tennis photo thread just isn’t for you

by Deuce

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Tue May 25, 2021 11:32 am

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue May 25, 2021 10:21 am It’s far more complex than you make it out to be. You are literally only looking at the mere surface. It goes many levels deeper - and not in the silly way you describe with the crying, etc.
But - hey - you’re free to believe me or not; you’re free to choose to not read or study or learn more about it...
That being the case, though, you’re really not in a position to call ME ignorant on the subject.

Didn’t call you ignorant on the subject, if you have time to study psychology then fill your boots. I am saying you appear to be out of touch with how the younger generation operate. As you say there are many levels to this, and for many using social media as outlet is a good positive thing for them. But if seeing these photos annoys you so much, maybe the tennis photo thread just isn’t for you

Of course you called me ignorant on the subject, as your initial comment was directed at me, as I was the one who commented that these 'PLEASE LOOK AT ME AND TELL ME I'M PRETTY' photos are unhealthy. You didn't address me personally, but it was clear that you were referring to me.
I also read your very first post on this subject a couple of days ago before you deleted it soon after posting it - it was of the same perspective as your other posts on the subject.
And I'm simply saying that it's odd - and ironic - that the person (you) who voluntarily refuses to read or study or learn about the psychology and sociology of 'social media' calls the person (me) who has read and studied and learned about the psychology and sociology of social media, ignorant.
In addition to that, I've also witnessed many young people suffer the negative effects of 'social media', and I've known several of them personally, as I've worked with kids and young adults, in various capacities, for about 30 years.

If I were 'out of touch', as you claim, I would have no opinion on the subject, as I would not know what's going on. On the contrary - I know very well what's going on... I've studied it, I've analyzed it (far more than you have, based on your own words), and so I'm quite in touch not only with what's happening with young people today with regards to 'social media', but also with its effects.
I also have the benefit of different perspectives, as I very much remember how things were - and how young people were - before 'social media' existed.

That you compare your posting of photos so your family can see them with something like Andreescu posting that 'fashion photo' which began this discussion indicates rather clearly that you don't understand at all what I'm saying.
Perhaps you choose to not understand...

Now, I realize that it's quite convenient to deny what's happening - or to hide one's head in the sand... I choose not to do that. I enjoy looking beyond the mere surface of things and gaining as much insight and knowledge as I can. You don't - at least insofar as this subject is concerned, you've admitted that. That's fine. And, as I said, you have every right in the world to disagree with me (though I wish you'd present a better argument for your position than simply describing the mere surface of the subject). But for you to turn around and claim that I am ignorant on the subject and 'out of touch' with what's happening, after I've let you know that I've studied this deeply, are very inaccurate statements on your part.

by mmmm8 Hi all... this is a light-hearted thread with some news and photos that professional tennis players choose to share about their off-court life. While we don't shy away from going off-topic here at TAT2, maybe a philosophical discussion on the social zeitgeist belongs in other threads.

More importantly, as a reminder of our rules, please be respectful and don't get into personal insults - there is some skating near the lines on this here.

Perhaps, this is an issue on which we can agree to disagree.

by Deuce Simply agreeing to disagree, among other things, discourages discussion - as rather eloquently explained here by the creator of this forum:
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=38

I don't particularly like Liam referring to me as being ignorant - but I will defend his right to state that, and for me to post a rebuttal, and for him to post his further thoughts, and for me to do the same... this is the definition of discussion.

I think discussion of different perspectives is quite healthy - in this thread or in any other -, and I, personally, would not discourage it.
Forums like this are also called message boards or discussion boards. Discussion is the purpose. Sometimes there is disagreement. Sometimes there is passion. Sometimes there is debate. It's fine to express opinions and disagreements - no-one is going to agree with everything and everyone, that's simply not possible.
We're all adults here, and discussion, whether in agreement or in disagreement, both in life and on internet discussion boards, is part of the natural human discourse.

by Liamvalid

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Tue May 25, 2021 10:44 pm Hi all... this is a light-hearted thread with some news and photos that professional tennis players choose to share about their off-court life. While we don't shy away from going off-topic here at TAT2, maybe a philosophical discussion on the social zeitgeist belongs in other threads.

More importantly, as a reminder of our rules, please be respectful and don't get into personal insults - there is some skating near the lines on this here.

Perhaps, this is an issue on which we can agree to disagree.

Fair enough, my responses to Deuce came from a place of emotion, rather than intellect-something I usually manage to avoid on public forums. I’m not normally an avid Bianca fan or anything but I feel she gets unfair criticism on here, which often sends me into big brother defensive mode, something I will try to keep in check

by dmforever

Liamvalid wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 12:04 pm

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Tue May 25, 2021 10:44 pm Hi all... this is a light-hearted thread with some news and photos that professional tennis players choose to share about their off-court life. While we don't shy away from going off-topic here at TAT2, maybe a philosophical discussion on the social zeitgeist belongs in other threads.

More importantly, as a reminder of our rules, please be respectful and don't get into personal insults - there is some skating near the lines on this here.

Perhaps, this is an issue on which we can agree to disagree.

Fair enough, my responses to Deuce came from a place of emotion, rather than intellect-something I usually manage to avoid on public forums. I’m not normally an avid Bianca fan or anything but I feel she gets unfair criticism on here, which often sends me into big brother defensive mode, something I will try to keep in check

No no no. Please don't apologize. Your reaction was totally fine. All you said was that it was fine to post a selfie.

Kevin

by ponchi101 Dear all.
Everybody in the last few posts have acted within the rules of the forum. I see no insults here, from the beginning. I can't find the word IGNORANT being flipped at somebody else, nor I find reciprocation of that.
Still, we know our rules and we know who we are. The one thing inherited from TAT1.0 is our mutual respect for each other and our ideas. While I see no breaking of such a guideline, we can at times come closer to an area where we would prefer not to be.
Let's use our collective elegance to remain well within our mutually respectfully dealing with each others.

by meganfernandez

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 3:19 pm Dear all.
Everybody in the last few posts have acted within the rules of the forum. I see no insults here, from the beginning. I can't find the word IGNORANT being flipped at somebody else, nor I find reciprocation of that.
Still, we know our rules and we know who we are. The one thing inherited from TAT1.0 is our mutual respect for each other and our ideas. While I see not breaking of such a guideline, we can at times come closer to an area where we would prefer not to be.
Let's use our collective elegance to remain well within our mutually respectfully dealing with each others.

Does this mean I can make a Deuce Instagram parody account or no?

by Suliso Let's go back to pictures

by ponchi101 I still say she has a certain something that is very appealing.
And the clothing looks great.

by Suliso Objectively she looks great, but somehow I don't find her all that appealing. I couldn't explain why...

by mmmm8

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 3:51 pm I still say she has a certain something that is very appealing.
And the clothing looks great.

It's a very weird angle for the clothes, I think.

by meganfernandez

Suliso wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 3:46 pm Let's go back to pictures

Love the dress, though it's not a great photo. Don't love every detail but overall love the cut, color, the pleats, the sheer midriff, the tank style. I would buy this and play in it. Can't wait to see all the RG clothes. (I refuse to say "kits" for some reason.)

by meganfernandez Grigor likes angels (scroll down)

by ashkor87 Is it my imagination or is it the case that, this year, many girls junior champions of a few years back are finding their feet - Gauff, Swiatek, Osorio Serrano, Tauson, Badosa (even Barty).. only Osaka and Andreescu weren't, so far as I know, junior champions.. has something changed in the way the world works?

by 3mlm Osaka never played on the ITF Junior Circuit. Andreescu never won a junior singles slam title but did win two junior doubles slam titles and the Orange Bowl and was ranked #3.

by ponchi101 I don't follow the ITF jr circuits but maybe it is that the players need to go through it now as there is no one that outshines the rest. Maybe? You know, the days of a Hingis or the Williams coming straight to the pros and winning are so over...

by ti-amie Don't forget that the players had almost a year to rest and work on their games. I know everyone doesn't have the financial means to hire a Witt or travel to Mouratoglou or the Nadal Academy but I'm sure everyone did what they could so that they could hit the ground running so to speak.

by meganfernandez

ashkor87 wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 4:12 am Is it my imagination or is it the case that, this year, many girls junior champions of a few years back are finding their feet - Gauff, Swiatek, Osorio Serrano, Tauson, Badosa (even Barty).. only Osaka and Andreescu weren't, so far as I know, junior champions.. has something changed in the way the world works?

Good observation. Andreescu didn't win a junior Slam, but she had a successful juniors career. Osaka's dad followed the Williams' blueprint and it worked.

by Suliso Alize Cornet

by Suliso Sloane Stephens



Jil Teichman

by the Moz If Jil finds Alizé & Sloane's pics a toss up, I know where my vote lies. Holy Sloane

by ashkor87 some (maybe false?) equivalences..
Barty = Federer (good volleyer, great serve, wonderful footwork)
Swiatek = Nadal (topspin, movement, confidence)
Andreescu = Djokovic (no weakness, equally good on all surfaces)

Serena, of course, is all by herself.. she has no equal or equivalent..

by ponchi101 I appreciate your comparisons, but you are comparing 3 Slams (WTA) Vs 58, with no more final appearances to talk about.
Serena can be compared to the three monsters as she has been one herself.
I don't know...

by ti-amie

by Suliso

by ti-amie I would not have recognized Timea.

by Suliso Osorio Serrano

by ti-amie

by Suliso Since she happens to be playing today few pictures of Jessica Pegula





Here with her fiance

by Suliso Sabine Lisicki



Karolina Pliskova

by Fastbackss

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:45 pm

Karolina Pliskova

No, that's Celine Dion

by ti-amie Sadly Celine is much much thinner.

by Suliso

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 9:02 pm Sadly Celine is much much thinner.

Sadly for Celine or sadly for Karolina?

by ti-amie

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 9:04 pm

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 9:02 pm Sadly Celine is much much thinner.

Sadly for Celine or sadly for Karolina?

Sadly for Celine. KaPlis looks healthy in this pic.

by ti-amie

by ti-amie

by Suliso Anett Kontaveit



Good looking woman I say

by Suliso Caro advertising some kind of baby products.

by ti-amie

by ponchi101 Interesting that it is not Olivia LEE Wozniacki

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:31 pm Interesting that it is not Olivia LEE Wozniacki

You have no idea how big a deal that is. Then again if you mention it I guess you do. Couples go to war over that issue.

by Suliso Is it obvious which last name is "more important" in this particular cultural context? In Spain it would be, but in US or Denmark? I'm not sure...

by ti-amie

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:47 pm Is it obvious which last name is "more important" in this particular cultural context? In Spain it would be, but in US or Denmark? I'm not sure...

My daughter and her mother in law went to war when she didn't officially change her name. The compromise was that she'd do exactly what Caro did in naming her daughter and that the future baby will carry her husbands surname. This is a very big deal right now in the US.

by JTContinental So, do we think she'll return to the tour in a year or two or is she done forever?

by Suliso

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:49 pm

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:47 pm Is it obvious which last name is "more important" in this particular cultural context? In Spain it would be, but in US or Denmark? I'm not sure...

My daughter and her mother in law went to war when she didn't officially change her name. The compromise was that she'd do exactly what Caro did in naming her daughter and that the future baby will carry her husbands surname. This is a very big deal right now in the US.

In any case if the daughter ever marries and has kids of her own she'll have to decide which of the two family names to give to them. Otherwise we'd all have 10+

by Suliso

JTContinental wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:52 pm So, do we think she'll return to the tour in a year or two or is she done forever?

I doubt it. More likely she'll have another child.

by Suliso

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:49 pm My daughter and her mother in law went to war when she didn't officially change her name. The compromise was that she'd do exactly what Caro did in naming her daughter and that the future baby will carry her husbands surname. This is a very big deal right now in the US.

The changing of the name is not such a big thing here. Most do, but I also know some who didn't.

by ti-amie

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:55 pm

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:49 pm

Suliso wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 5:47 pm Is it obvious which last name is "more important" in this particular cultural context? In Spain it would be, but in US or Denmark? I'm not sure...

My daughter and her mother in law went to war when she didn't officially change her name. The compromise was that she'd do exactly what Caro did in naming her daughter and that the future baby will carry her husbands surname. This is a very big deal right now in the US.

In any case if the daughter ever marries and has kids of her own she'll have to decide which of the two family names to give to them. Otherwise we'd all have 10+

How does it work in Spanish speaking countries? For example Rafa's full surname is Nadal-Parera. What will his potential children do? I know the naming protocols vary from country to country.

by Suliso Perhaps Iceland has the most egalitarian system - there are no surnames at all. Of course they do use father's name to distinguish...

by ponchi101 In South America the sole way the child can have the mother's last name is if there is no father declared in the birth certificate.
A major plus, in so many cases.
It is a big deal here, Ti. The wife taking her husband's last name is also mandatory in many countries.

by Suliso Wait, don't you operate like in Spain with two last names?

by dmforever A colleague and friend and her husband chose an interesting compromise. They both changed their last names when they got married to a combination of the two names into one name. (ie Sally Smith and John Jones because Sally Smithjones and John Smithjones.) Each of their last names was one syllable, so it was fairly doable.

Kevin

by the Moz

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:58 pm In South America the sole way the child can have the mother's last name is if there is no father declared in the birth certificate.
A major plus, in so many cases.
It is a big deal here, Ti. The wife taking her husband's last name is also mandatory in many countries.

How so?...seriously, not joking

by ponchi101 For example: If you are a divorced couple, the child cannot travel outside state borders without a notarized permission from the parent that does not have custody.
Many fathers simply abandon the family. So the child of such a family, with no father in sight, cannot travel outside of the country until s/he is 18.
It is difficult to enforce allowances and such, but easy to enforce other bothersome legal issues.
I have a friend that her child's dad simply left the country, never to be seen again. She could not leave the country to travel (the state border thing is harder to enforce, of course). The legal proceedings for her to get full custody of her child took so long, she turned 18 before that.

by mmmm8 We don't know if Wozniacki is Olivia's last name or middle name.

by Deuce Imagine the mess if Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Sara Sorribes Tormo would have a child together...

In the Wozniacki/Lee situation, any public discussion or controversy about which family name should come first could have been easily averted if they’d just given the child the first name ‘Rory’.

by ti-amie

Deuce wrote: ↑Tue Jun 15, 2021 2:40 am Imagine the mess if Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Sara Sorribes Tormo would have a child together...

In the Wozniacki/Lee situation, any public discussion or controversy about which family name should come first could have been easily averted if they’d just given the child the first name ‘Rory’.

by ponchi101 In Spain there would be no such mess. A child from Foki and SST would simply be: Alejandra Sara Davidovich Sorribes. The formula is pretty straightforward.
A horror for any tournament that would need to put that in a scoreboard, but straightforward it would be

by Suliso

by JazzNU

by skatingfan Is that a thing that happens - you wake up on you're 30th birthday just wearing an engagement ring?

by Suliso

by Suliso Sabalenka in London

by ti-amie

by ti-amie We always talk about WTA players and their fashion shoots but this is the second time in the last few days I've seen a beauty shot of Jack Draper. There was a series of four the first time.

ETA: I found the series.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 6:21 pm

That's nice. Clearly taken at a Vegas Golden Knights game. Andre's going to support and promote everything that city has to offer or die trying. One of his best qualities imho.

by ti-amie

by nelslus

skatingfan wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:37 pm Is that a thing that happens - you wake up on you're 30th birthday just wearing an engagement ring?

....Sticking to her brand, even Konta's engagement ring manages to looks tacky....

by nelslus

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 8:37 pm

Thanks. From the stands, I was thinking, OH, so THIS is what Kyrgios would like like if he was actually hot.

Otherwise, gee, too bad Heather and Doofus are in such terrible shape.

by Deuce

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 6:21 pm

I certainly wouldn't be proud enough to post a public photo if I were maskless in an indoor areana full of 18,000 maskless people in the midst of a pandemic.
Of course, I wouldn't be in the arena at all...

Given what the Delta variant is doing in other countries, and that it seems that most of the U.S. is functioning as if the COVID-19 simply no longer exists, I'm very anxious to see what happens in the U.S. this fall and winter.
I don't anticipate it being very pretty.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 8:37 pm

Same boyfriend as before. They've been together for at least 2 years.

by ti-amie I remember her with another British tennis player before this guy. Duffus is quite easy on the eyes.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:18 am I remember her with another British tennis player before this guy. Duffus is quite easy on the eyes.

Yes, more than one I think. I believe she basically said they were toxic though. Courtney has been very good for her, she credits his support as part of her turnaround in the last 2 years (you may remember it from when she won a title, I think it was early 2020).

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:43 am

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:18 am I remember her with another British tennis player before this guy. Duffus is quite easy on the eyes.

Yes, more than one I think. I believe she basically said they were toxic though. Courtney has been very good for her, she credits his support as part of her turnaround in the last 2 years (you may remember it from when she won a title, I think it was early 2020).

Yes. She said he's been pushing her to do better and it shows. She would've rolled over in a match like this before she began dating him.

I hope she reads what Ahn said about her struggle for results.

by JazzNU Marta Kostyuk and her little sister. Very cute.

by Suliso Remember her?

by ponchi101 Miss Baczinsky (or however you spell it). She is looking pretty.

by JazzNU So did Timea basically retire she just didn't issue any official statement? Or is she still rehabbing her injuries?

by Suliso I read that she can't decide whether she wants to attempt another comeback or not.

by Suliso Emma Raducanu (end of 2020)

by ponchi101 And knowing how moderate the British are in their response to "the next big thing", if Emma beats Sorana today and makes it to the second week, I say the payday is in the immediate 7 figures.
What a pretty girl.

by Suliso Money will not be a problem indeed, but the flip side is the enormous pressure which will be piled on by British press. Some can deal with it and some can't...

by ponchi101 Nothing that can't be handled by a strategic move to Monaco, which she will be able to afford with a snap of her fingers...

by ti-amie Remembering how Dan Evans reacted to Aljaz Bedene has he weighed in on Ms Raducanu? Is she sufficiently British for him?

by ponchi101 Evans has lately been very good at shutting up. Maybe some people do learn.

by JazzNU I don't know what he said, but she's "more British" (whatever that means) than Konta or Robson, so not sure what the problem is. Let's hope he is keeping his thoughts to himself. He doesn't need to work so hard to make people not like him, far as I can tell, they already don't like him.

by JazzNU Petra Kvitova. The first one is definitely in Monaco, she didn't specifically mention the locales of the others, but all taken within days of each, so may all be there.

by Suliso Daria Kasatkina



Here a blast from the past - Nadia Petrova, Yaroslava Shvedova and Vera Dushevina with their kids.

by ponchi101 I will thank you for half that post

by JazzNU Jules doing Wimbledon commentary for Sky Sport DE

by ti-amie No translation necessary.

by Suliso Coco



Marta Kostyk



Jessica Pegula

by Suliso Paula Badosa

by Suliso

by ponchi101 She gave birth... when?
Like the shoes (and the rest, admittedly)

by Suliso

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:51 pm She gave birth... when?
Like the shoes (and the rest, admittedly)

A bit less than a month ago.

by Suliso

by JazzNU ^ My least favorite photo of what she posted. So if you're like me, check out the others


https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRZc0JNBQU/

by JazzNU Anett

by ti-amie Anett with a vintage Cadillac and a vintage look. I never thought go-go boots would come back in style.

by Suliso

JazzNU wrote: ↑Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:45 pm ^ My least favorite photo of what she posted. So if you're like me, check out the others


https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRZc0JNBQU/

Funny that from the three I liked this one the best.

by ti-amie

by JazzNU Didn't realize they were having such a short engagement.

by JazzNU In related news, a new installment of "I barely recognize her"

by JazzNU Extra photos of Matteo from the celebration in Italy

by Suliso

by ti-amie

JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Jul 15, 2021 8:58 pm Extra photos of Matteo from the celebration in Italy

by JazzNU I'm sure more will be coming out, but here's a photo of the happy couple. I've seen others on IG Stories of them and the wedding, looks lovely.




https://twitter.com/Tennis_BTU_ENG/stat ... 1051364358

by Suliso Do you know where was the wedding?

by ti-amie



Speculation is the wedding was in Geneva.

by ti-amie

by JazzNU

Suliso wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:14 pm Do you know where was the wedding?

ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:59 pm
Speculation is the wedding was in Geneva.

Yes, definitely in Geneva.

by JazzNU

by ponchi101 I will leave it to the people here that know about fashion, because I obviously don't.
But a lavender tux... I will pass.
They look happy. Hope it will be indeed till death do them part.

by ti-amie

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:17 pm I will leave it to the people here that know about fashion, because I obviously don't.
But a lavender tux... I will pass.
They look happy. Hope it will be indeed till death do them part.

I think her outfit is...horrible. I like that the flowers and his tux matched. TBH it's a very Caribbean thing to do that even though he was born in France.

Her outfit at the reception is more like it. I've only seen it on IG and I'm IG illiterate.

by dmforever

JazzNU wrote: ↑Thu Jul 15, 2021 8:58 pm Extra photos of Matteo from the celebration in Italy

Any post that begins with "Extra photos of Matteo" is greatly greatly appreciated.

Kevin

by dmforever And while we are speaking about photos of Matteo, I just happened across this. It's a nice little piece, and you can practice your Italian. It goes through Queen's Club but doesn't include Wimbledon.

Kevin

https://www.redbull.com/it-it/videos/ma ... xtra-video

by ti-amie

by ti-amie

by dmforever Just when you thought you'd seen everything...



Kevin

by dmforever

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 5:23 pm

I kind of like the lavender tux but I'm not a fan of the suit and sneakers combo.


Kevin

by ponchi101

dmforever wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 5:41 pm Just when you thought you'd seen everything...



Kevin

Wow. That does NOT look good for Wilson. I remember Sampras cracking a racquet against Henman at W, but that was because Sampras had those things strung to the max. And I once cracked the rim of a ProStaff 6.0, but it was already almost 4 years old, and I do scrape my racquets a lot. But for the head to come off the handle that way...
Time to consider making those racquets somewhere else.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:24 pm
I think her outfit is...horrible. I like that the flowers and his tux matched. TBH it's a very Caribbean thing to do that even though he was born in France.

Her outfit at the reception is more like it. I've only seen it on IG and I'm IG illiterate.

With parents from Guadeloupe and Martinique, a Caribbean influence would be very appropriate. His suit/tux is one of the things I like here. Her wedding dress is a touch unfortunate on many levels, but the idea was solid, just a flawed execution for me. She looks appreciably better at the reception. It's a little surprising they didn't reverse the wedding and reception outfits, but the wedding photos will be the most memorable and the circulated and capture their personalities better, so I understand the decision.

by the Moz Glad to see Christina 'Dip It Low' Milian

by ti-amie

dmforever wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 5:41 pm Just when you thought you'd seen everything...



Kevin

Aide: Stefanos, someone named Aga Radwanska is on line one?

by dmforever

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:02 pm

dmforever wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 5:41 pm Just when you thought you'd seen everything...



Kevin

Wow. That does NOT look good for Wilson. I remember Sampras cracking a racquet against Henman at W, but that was because Sampras had those things strung to the max. And I once cracked the rim of a ProStaff 6.0, but it was already almost 4 years old, and I do scrape my racquets a lot. But for the head to come off the handle that way...
Time to consider making those racquets somewhere else.

If you listen to the commentary, a woman says something about all of that just to save a code violation right at the end. So apparently he hit the racket, cracked it, and then played with it. But still, it's kind of amazing.

Kevin

by dmforever

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 10:00 pm

dmforever wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 5:41 pm Just when you thought you'd seen everything...



Kevin

Aide: Stefanos, someone named Aga Radwanska is on line one?

Did Aga do that too?

Kevin

by ponchi101 Then Stefanos needs to do some math. A code violation gives you a warning, playing with that racquet cost him the point.
Well, your point explains it.
And yes, Aga did that once. Her racquet did crack (no initial smacking, as you tell us, though).

by JazzNU

dmforever wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 10:25 pm
If you listen to the commentary, a woman says something about all of that just to save a code violation right at the end. So apparently he hit the racket, cracked it, and then played with it. But still, it's kind of amazing.

Kevin

Watch both. Not great for Wilson since this was hardly impressive, but probably not problematic for them either.

by ti-amie

by dmforever

ti-amie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 18, 2021 12:21 am

OMG. The look on her face says it all. Bahahahahahaha. It's interesting that in both cases, it was on a backhand.

Kevin

by dmforever

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:53 pm Then Stefanos needs to do some math. A code violation gives you a warning, playing with that racquet cost him the point.
Well, your point explains it.
And yes, Aga did that once. Her racquet did crack (no initial smacking, as you tell us, though).

I was thinking EXACTLY the same thing. Maybe he thought he'd have another outburst and he wanted to have the opportunity to do that without losing a point?

Kevin

by Suliso Iga, not sure if in Tokyo already or only preparing

by ti-amie

by JazzNU Check out the name

https://www.instagram.com/elisvitolina/

by the Moz Disappointing, but it's her life.

by Suliso It's a strong tradition in Central and Eastern Europe so no reason to criticize. At work too virtually all women who got married while I'm here changed their names. I respect them just as much (or little) as before.

by Suliso Vekic and Tomljanovic

by ponchi101 In L. America, for example, it would be very normal for Elina to become Elina Svitolina DE Monfils.
I am not sure if in Spain it would be mandated. In some L. America countries it would be. In others (I believe Argentina) I think Gael could choose to use her name.

by Deuce I assumed that after marriage, they would both legally change their names to that silly name that they came up with for their union on 'social media', whatever it was...

by JazzNU Of course she can do what she wants, but she spent years building her own name and this is one of those times where keeping your maiden name or adding your husband's name in addition to your own makes a ton of sense. It's not that it's on her Instagram, it's that it seems that's what she'll be using professionally.

by ti-amie It's her choice and I don't think any of us can comment on what in the end is a personal decision on her part. I think I mentioned here that my daughter has opted to keep her maiden name because of the work she does and her husbands family nearly fainted from shock.

I kept my husband's name even though we divorced. Everyone is entitled to their choice.

by Deuce Given that Svitolina has failed to reach the potential that many predicted, which has left many fans frustrated, perhaps disassociating herself from that name will actually boost her reputation among some fans.
Maybe even within herself, as well.
Kind of like a 're-birth' - 'the old Elina is gone, here comes the new'...

Of course, in reality, it will take more than a mere name change to boost her career, but who knows?... maybe it will psychologically prompt an improvement.

by ti-amie

by JazzNU Yulia Putintseva in Budapest

by ti-amie That's the best pic of Poots I've ever seen.

by 3mlm

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 18, 2021 10:41 pm In L. America, for example, it would be very normal for Elina to become Elina Svitolina DE Monfils.
I am not sure if in Spain it would be mandated. In some L. America countries it would be. In others (I believe Argentina) I think Gael could choose to use her name.

According to Wikipedia:

In Spain, upon marrying, one does not change one's surname. In some instances, such as high society meetings, the partner's surname can be added after the person's surnames using the preposition de (of). An example would be a Leocadia Blanco Álvarez, married to a Pedro Pérez Montilla, may be addressed as Leocadia Blanco de Pérez or as Leocadia Blanco Álvarez de Pérez. This format is not used in everyday settings and has no legal value.

by ptmcmahon

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:17 pm I will leave it to the people here that know about fashion, because I obviously don't.
But a lavender tux... I will pass.
They look happy. Hope it will be indeed till death do them part.

I'm not a fashion guy at al. I thought it looked good.. but doesnt look as good next to people in suits of other colours as much.

by JazzNU Naomi was selected as one of the SI Swimsuit Cover Models this year

by ti-amie At least she's sports related. Someone will have to explain how Megan Thee Stallion rates a cover.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 6:22 pm At least she's sports related. Someone will have to explain how Megan Thee Stallion rates a cover.

It's not regular SI, it's the Swimsuit Edition, it's never featured only athletes. Most times it never featured athletes on the cover, that's a more recent evolution of the Swimsuit Edition where non-models including athletes would be featured. Megan rates a cover for being very popular right now and they can promote a body positivity message by choosing her.

by Suliso Well, if the topic is swimsuits here are a few recent ones with actual players

Clara Tauson



Jo Konta

by ponchi101

JazzNU wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:24 pm

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 6:22 pm At least she's sports related. Someone will have to explain how Megan Thee Stallion rates a cover.

It's not regular SI, it's the Swimsuit Edition, it's never featured only athletes. Most times it never featured athletes on the cover, that's a more recent evolution of the Swimsuit Edition where non-models including athletes would be featured. Megan rates a cover for being very popular right now and they can promote a body positivity message by choosing her.

In the beginning it was only models, never athletes.
I am old enough to remember those

by JTContinental

ti-amie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 6:22 pm At least she's sports related. Someone will have to explain how Megan Thee Stallion rates a cover.

One only needs to see her in a swimsuit to see how she rates a cover.

by JTContinental Speaking of Osaka, apparently the gasbag that is Megyn Kelly tried to turn her evil eye onto Naomi and her mental health on Twitter, got totally pwned (and then subsequently blocked) by Osaka, and is now having some sort of one sided meltdown.

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5637 ... out-mental

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:56 pm In the beginning it was only models, never athletes.
I am old enough to remember those

Yes, so am I. These non-models on the cover is very recent. When I used to watch those 90s HBO Making of the SI Swimsuit Edition documentaries, those were always models, no question. I think the first non-model cover may have been Beyonce and it was after Destiny's Child, to put into context how recent the change has been. Still mostly models, but they mix in celebrities and athletes from time to time now.

by JTContinental On the swimsuit front, that might be the best outfit I’ve ever seen Konta wear

by JazzNU Jeremy Chardy with his son Stoney

by JazzNU Paula Badosa moving up in the world. Made it into Elle Spain.

by ponchi101 Strange looking shots. They look very solarized.
She is one grand slam away from taking all of Mugu's contracts. But not sure if she can do it.

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:56 pm Strange looking shots. They look very solarized.
She is one grand slam away from taking all of Mugu's contracts. But not sure if she can do it.

It's funny to me that you think that.

I like the photos, the second one in particular.

by Suliso To me too. Muguruza looks just as good if not better.

by ponchi101 I love Garbie, but... I find Badosa to be stunning.
But if you gang think she is as pretty as Paula, so be it. I can like them both. Which I do.

by ti-amie I like the second one better too. I think the first one is aiming for the younger market with the sneakers, bag, and sports shirt.

The second one with the Chanel-style jacket, stylish but not "out there" hair, jeans, a nice shirt and the Nike bra peeking out is for a more mature but still young and chic woman.

I like Paula. If she can just rein herself in a bit and not play balls to the wall on every shot I think she'll do well. If she goes deep in a Slam forget it. Garbi, she's coming for you.

by ti-amie I don't think this shoot was posted here. I went back about five pages and didn't see the pics. If it was I apologize.

by ti-amie The hard sell is on folks.

by ponchi101 Had no seen the Naomi shots, so txs.
And Emma? Just crack the top 20 and England is yours.

by JazzNU

ti-amie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:06 pm The hard sell is on folks.

Already careening out of control I'd say. The Silicon Valley Classic, which gave her a wild card, has her in the tournament photos next to Sloane, Madison, and Sofia. There are quite a few good players in the draw that are much more deserving of that billing.

I know this has happened with a couple of other players, Coco and Bianca, come to mind for instance, but their hype started was well before their big result, there was build up for both. Emma is more in line with a Melanie Oudin to me, pretty much out of nowhere, so it's a bit over the top already.

by JazzNU

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:52 pm I love Garbie, but... I find Badosa to be stunning.
But if you gang think she is as pretty as Paula, so be it. I can like them both. Which I do.

Her parents are models, she's going to be hard pressed not to pretty. But I was talking more about that you think Garbine's endorsements are going to flee because Paula is suddenly somewhat popular. Garbine's brand has been cultivated over 10 years, it's not disappearing overnight even if Paula wins a GS tomorrow.

Stunning is not a word I'd use with Paula personally. She's pretty to me. If she looked like she does in that second photo all of the time, I'd say she's at a minimum, very pretty. But her professional photos are more uneven, she's not giving you what Elle captured every time. Hopefully she can try to get more of this out of them in the future, this photographer really maximized what she's got and hit the right angles too. She looks wonderful in these.

by dmforever

JazzNU wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:13 am Jeremy Chardy with his son Stoney

Matching swim trunks!!!!

Kevin

by JazzNU Petra in Tokyo

by JazzNU Elina shared more wedding photos. Scroll through to see more, in particular, additional views of her wedding outfit

by JazzNU Elena Rybakina at the Bolshoy Theatre. She doesn't share much, so very nice. The girl with her is Sofya Lansere, a Russian tennis player.

by ponchi101 You wanna know how good the pros are?
Here is Thiem hitting LEFT handed forehands, backhands and forehands:


Let me know if you hit your REGULAR strokes are well as he does with his non-dominant hand.

by Deuce I can guarantee that this sort of thing is not common with pro players. There may be some who can pull it off, but it is by no means a general reflection of how good the pros are, or of what they are capable of doing.

by Suliso Timea Babos

by ponchi101

Deuce wrote: ↑Thu Jul 22, 2021 5:12 am I can guarantee that this sort of thing is not common with pro players. There may be some who can pull it off, but it is by no means a general reflection of how good the pros are, or of what they are capable of doing.

Not a general reflection, but more proof (as if it was needed) of what incredible athletes we have in tennis.
I remember one year, I think it was 1983, in that Wimbledon played a PEOPLE'S SUNDAY. Connors was to play Rostagno and, as he was warming up in Centre Court, he took two racquets (his T-2000's) and started hitting forehands with both hands, simultaneously. One left handed FH, one right handed FH. They were almost identical. Of course, his two-handed BH was a disguised FH, but him being able to take the dominant hand off and still hit a solid shot was impressive.

by Deuce

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 23, 2021 4:09 pm

Deuce wrote: ↑Thu Jul 22, 2021 5:12 am I can guarantee that this sort of thing is not common with pro players. There may be some who can pull it off, but it is by no means a general reflection of how good the pros are, or of what they are capable of doing.

Not a general reflection, but more proof (as if it was needed) of what incredible athletes we have in tennis.
I remember one year, I think it was 1983, in that Wimbledon played a PEOPLE'S SUNDAY. Connors was to play Rostagno and, as he was warming up in Centre Court, he took two racquets (his T-2000's) and started hitting forehands with both hands, simultaneously. One left handed FH, one right handed FH. They were almost identical. Of course, his two-handed BH was a disguised FH, but him being able to take the dominant hand off and still hit a solid shot was impressive.

The act of just hitting a tennis ball into any area of the court on the other side of the net with a T2000 is a remarkable feat in itself - regardless of which hand, or number of hands, is used!
There are rumours that a large percentage of discarded T2000s went on to have a second life as trampolines...

by ti-amie

by Deuce I saw a site that had her name as Svitolina, but it showed a photo of Gael .

by ti-amie Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
@tsonga7
Avec mes deux petits gars!!! #bonheurabsolu #family Family
Translated from French by Google
With my two little guys !!!#bonheurabsolu#familyFamily