The Tennis Thread

In lieu of this weekend's Australian Open finals matches, figured I'd dedicate a thread to my third favorite sport.  Please feel free to discuss any and all things in the tennis world.

First thing I have to say is... Roger Federer.  At 36 years of age, he may be playing some of the best tennis of career.  Defeating Marin Cilic at yesterday's final, he won his 6th Australian Open and became the only men's player to win 20 career Grand Slams!  This coming right on the heels of winning the Hopman Cup for Team Switzerland earlier in the month.

Saturday's women's final saw Caroline Wozniacki winning her first Grand Slam tournament of her career, as she held off top-seeded Simona Halep in a 3-set match.  Nice to see her finally get over the hump.  Hopefully now that the pressure is off, she'll continue to show she's worthy of her #1 ranking.

David Cup first round is this weekend.  Serbia hosts the United States, Canada visits Croatia, Kazakhstan will host Switzerland, and Australia faces Germany among other matches.
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Comments

  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,195
    I absolutely love tennis. I think it's one of the most entertaining sports to watch and play. If I hadn't been in baseball as a kid, I would have played tennis. Now that I'm an adult, I make sure to play it with my kids all the time. It's a cheap sport to play and is a great work out.

    The Jimmy Connors classic run at the US Open is what first got me hooked. I was always an Agassi fan and wasn't much for Sampras, but respected the man's talent. I loathed Federer when he first came on the scene, but have grown to admire and appreciate his greatness as a player and his sportsmanship. Now that we don't have TV, I don't watch as much tennis as I once did, but Wimbledon and the US Open are always my favorite tournaments. It'd be nice if the US men could get some great talent back on the courts, but we were spoiled for a long time and the women have held their own, at least the Williams have.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,416
    Back in the 90's the US had so much talent.  The men's pool had Agassi, Sampras, Chang, Courier, Martin, Connors was still going, the Bryan brothers in doubles.  The women had Navratilova, Garrison, Davenport, Seles, Fernandez, Capriati when she wanted to be good, and of course the Williams sisters debuted near the end of the decade.

    We've had what?  The Williams and Roddick since then.  Not a whole lot going on the last 2 decades.  Sock is currently ranked 8th in the world but he's not playing in the Davis Cup, so it's up to Querrey and Isner to hold the fort.  At least Serbia is Novak-less.

    Speaking of Monica Seles... I suppose this year is the 25th anniversary of the stabbing incident.  Wow.

    The one thing I really enjoy about tennis is (with few exceptions - looking at you, Nick Kyrgios) you never really root against anyone.  You just root for a great match and want to see awesome play!
  • timdwillitimdwilli Los Angeles, CA Posts: 294
    No tiebreaker in the 5th has now ruined this tournament. Feel bad for Rafa and Joker...and whoever wins this will have nothing left 
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,416
    timdwilli said:
    No tiebreaker in the 5th has now ruined this tournament. Feel bad for Rafa and Joker...and whoever wins this will have nothing left 
    That's always been the rule in major tournaments.
  • timdwillitimdwilli Los Angeles, CA Posts: 294
    timdwilli said:
    No tiebreaker in the 5th has now ruined this tournament. Feel bad for Rafa and Joker...and whoever wins this will have nothing left 
    That's always been the rule in major tournaments.
    Except the U.S. Open. I'm with Johnny Mac...gotta play a tiebreaker in the 5th, this is a disservice to all involved parties
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,416
    I love it.  I mean, I get both sides of the argument, but I love seeing two players dig deep into everything they have to fight for the victory.  You often see some of the best tennis being played in these extended 5th sets. A couple top-tier competitors tapping into their reserves instead of just rocketing the ball at every opportunity. The way I see it, what's not to keep a tiebreak from going 175-173?
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,195
    That's a great match right there with Isner and Anderson. They basically played an additional 4-5 sets, plus all the tiebreaks in the previous sets. INSANE. That's why I love tennis.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • timdwillitimdwilli Los Angeles, CA Posts: 294
    Love seeing Novak back on top of his game...sucks these guys have to finish tomorrow
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,195
    timdwilli said:
    Love seeing Novak back on top of his game...sucks these guys have to finish tomorrow
    Yeah, Novak is fun to watch. Suspended play is always a bummer because you lose the flow of the match. No telling what will happen when they pick it up tomorrow.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,490
    Serena definitely did not have her best stuff today, but Kerber played well and hit some amazing shots.  She did not let anything past her.
  • Thoughts_ArriveThoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    Damn, was hoping Serena would win so she could equal that homophobic redneck Margaret Court in terms of total grand slams won.
    Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,416
    edited July 2018
    She’ll get the record eventually.

    Hope Anderson wins tomorrow. I can’t stand Djokovic. He’s one of like three tennis players I just don’t like.
  • Thoughts_ArriveThoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    Djokovic is okay, he doesn't take himself too serious and clowns around, what's not to like?
    Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Thoughts_ArriveThoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...
    More interesting than baseball. Now that is boring.
    Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,416
    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...
    More interesting than baseball. Now that is boring.
    Watch your mouth! 
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    Baseball is a great game ...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Thoughts_ArriveThoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...
    More interesting than baseball. Now that is boring.
    Watch your mouth! 
    haha
    Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,490

    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...

    In the 2015 Super Bowl there was 12 minutes of actual game play.  I won't watch football anymore.  Total snooze fest.  So many TV breaks and time between plays. 


  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    edited July 2018

    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...

    In the 2015 Super Bowl there was 12 minutes of actual game play.  I won't watch football anymore.  Total snooze fest.  So many TV breaks and time between plays. 


    I was just discussing all the commercials and timeout that are in football with my Dad...because we both love the speed of FIFA ... the World Cup game was over in around 2 hours...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,490

    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...

    In the 2015 Super Bowl there was 12 minutes of actual game play.  I won't watch football anymore.  Total snooze fest.  So many TV breaks and time between plays. 


    I was just discussing all the commercials and timeout that are in football with my Dad...because we both love the speed of FIFA ... the World Cup game was over in around 2 hours...
    I went to my first soccer match in Atlanta this year and there were like 45k people there that were all into it.  Had a lot of fun and like you said there is always action going on and  dry little breaks.  I would go to a soccer match before an NFL game.
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,416
    And MLS is a whole heluva lot cheaper than an NFL game!

    A buddy of mine (former DC United fan) moved to Seattle and fell in love with the Sounders atmosphere. The fight songs & chants really crack me up!

    Build a bonfire,
    Build a bonfire,
    Put the Timbers on the top,
    Put the Whitecaps in the middle,
    And we’ll burn the fucker up!
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739

    Tennis is a rather boring sport ... sure great athletes though.  The semi-final, over 6 hours long...

    In the 2015 Super Bowl there was 12 minutes of actual game play.  I won't watch football anymore.  Total snooze fest.  So many TV breaks and time between plays. 


    I was just discussing all the commercials and timeout that are in football with my Dad...because we both love the speed of FIFA ... the World Cup game was over in around 2 hours...
    I went to my first soccer match in Atlanta this year and there were like 45k people there that were all into it.  Had a lot of fun and like you said there is always action going on and  dry little breaks.  I would go to a soccer match before an NFL game.
    That's pretty cool.  I am really going to learn a little about football.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,195
    Anyone been following the US Open? 2 of the big 3 already out and Rafa just choked away a 4-0 lead in the first set, 5-4 now. Disappointed to see Federer fade last night with what seemed to be some sort of injury, especially after Novak had retired from his match the day before.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,195
    Also, Schwartzman kind of reminds me of Corey Haim from his License to Drive days and his name keeps making me think of Spaceballs. May the Schwartz be with you! Guy is short!
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,195
    And Nadal is playing like 10 feet behind the baseline on Schwartzman's serve like he's firing heaters at him, but he's only tossing them in the high 90's, low 100's.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 40,710
    tbergs said:
    Anyone been following the US Open? 2 of the big 3 already out and Rafa just choked away a 4-0 lead in the first set, 5-4 now. Disappointed to see Federer fade last night with what seemed to be some sort of injury, especially after Novak had retired from his match the day before.
    I saw last nights match between Federer and the other guy which was good.

    When did tonight's match start, 10? why so late? Nadal should win. He looks jacked.

    bf959b1f-9b77-457c-baf8-038776f33339_zps8a6a389d.jpg?t=1365722973
    8/28/98- Camden, NJ
    10/31/09- Philly
    5/21/10- NYC
    9/2/12- Philly, PA
    7/19/13- Wrigley
    10/19/13- Brooklyn, NY
    10/21/13- Philly, PA
    10/22/13- Philly, PA
    10/27/13- Baltimore, MD
    Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly
    Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,195
    Match started at 945 EST. Women's match before ran longer so it got pushed back. Going to be a long night at this rate, 5-5 in the 2nd. Nadal blew double break lead again. Should be well in to the 3rd by now, but he's making himself work harder than he should tonight.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,582
    This is good. I want the Russian 
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,582
    Well that was amazing
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