What is the rule? Because the umpire gave a warning and only after the opposition resorted to unsporting DQ request with hyperbole rhetoric did the umpire later reverse his own ruling. It was stated in an article I read that the other ballperson dropped the ball at the net requesting the player knock it to the other ballperson.
Tennis 2023
- Thread starter GuybrushThreepwood
- Start date
What is the rule? Because the umpire gave a warning and only after the opposition resorted to unsporting DQ request with hyperbole rhetoric did the umpire later reverse his own ruling. It was stated in an article I read that the other ballperson dropped the ball at the net requesting the player knock it to the other ballperson.
Umpire wanted to be reasonable and not enforce the dumb rule. He enforced the rule after pressure was put on him by lame opposition.
I have an inkling for Djokovic tomorrow. I can see him really being fired up to take on Alcaraz.
Alcaraz is the clear favourite for this, which I’m surprised by, I think the value is on Djokovic.
I’d be interested to know how many matches over the last 15 years Djokovic has gone into as underdog, must be a handful at most.
Yeah, I struggle to understand that myself. Obviously, markets follow the money but Djokovic is still by far the best match player in the world. As much as I love Alcaraz’s game, if Djokovic gets to somewhere near his highest level then he’ll take him out in 3 or 4.
I actually had a look into this after seeing a stat online.
Underdog vs Nadal at RG in 2021, 2020, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
You have to go back to 2006 (Gonzalez in R2) if you want to find a match at Roland Garros where he wasn't the favourite in a match against someone not named Nadal.
In Australia, he was last underdog the vs Federer in the 2011 SF.
At Wimbledon, he was last the underdog vs Nadal in the 2011 Final.
At the US Open he was the underdog in the 2013 Final vs Nadal and in the 2010 SF vs Federer and 2010 F vs Nadal.
Alcaraz has had a better clay court season and played at a higher level than Djokovic at RG this year, so I can understand why he is the favourite. That said, Alcaraz is yet to do it vs Nadal or Djokovic in a Grand Slam match, so until he proves he can do it in a best of 5 match, the experience Djokovic has give him a real edge.
Absolutely LOVE that research. And only in part because I’d never have the patience to do it myself. I’m not convinced the market knows anything we don’t. Djokovic is overpriced.
Aye. The big thing is how he reacts when Djokovic just bunkers down and doesn’t give him anything. I suspect he might find it a little trickier than what he’s faced so far.
I just had the time and was intrigued
I think the first set will be quite important for both players. Djokovic has been starting matches quite slow and while he can come back from a set down, you don't want to have to into a second set before you know it. Similarly for Alcaraz, he will want to start quick and shock Djokovic early on (as Nadal has done the past few years at RG) to gain momentum but he could easily come out nervy and spraying errors, like Alcaraz did vs Zverev at RG last year.
Would love to see Alcaraz get a statement win. Really any kind of win will be a statement! Suspect Djoko will unnerve and game him a bit. Despite the quality of tennis we've seen from Alcaraz i'd still favour Djoko.
Also hope Zverev wins the other side but think that will be a very close one.
It will make for the best final, though I'd much rather see Ruud win the title than Zverev.
I'd probably give the edge to Zverev today but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Ruud makes the final.
Zverev leads the H2H against Alcaraz 3-2 and has a 4-7 record vs Djokovic.
Ruud on the other hand is 0-3 vs Alcaraz and 0-4 vs Djokovic. With the H2H, match up and lack of weapons, it's hard to see how Ruud can win the final. Perhaps he can make it more interesting than the final last year against Nadal, but it be a formality for either Alcaraz or Djokovic.
For the tournament, I’d prefer to see Zverev win. I don’t see Ruud being able to beat/push the other two close, whereas Zverev might, on his day.
Fantastic facts, thanks for that!
Ruud had two set points to take a 2-1 lead in the US Open final. I think on clay (Ruud's best surface by far) that’s an interesting matchup actually. Ruud-Novak is easily straight sets though.
Fair point, you're probably right that it could be an interesting match up, more so than against Djokovic. Even though I think Zverev's peak level is higher, his worst level is lower and more likely to happen than with Ruud.
Ruud got taken apart against Nadal last year but I don't think it was due to him having an off day. It was a bad match up against a player much better than him. He probably didn't even have the confidence that he could win and seemed happy to just be there, all of which should be less of a factor should he make the final this time.
It would be his first ever win against a top ten player at a slam, wouldn't it?
He has one now...last year's QF at Roland Garros vs Alcaraz
Saivet literally has all the facts.
I'm invested in thisLunch break scheduled for 2pm (or whenever it starts) to watch at least an hour of the first match
Lunch break scheduled for 2pm (or whenever it starts) to watch at least an hour of the first match
I'm actually playing at 3! Hopefully it's a good long one.
Great start to the match so far
Alcaraz a little too much ball bashing so far. You can do it against Tsitsipas and Shapovalov, but not against Novak over the longer term.
Needs to get the ball high up on Novak because that's where he struggles, then crush the weak return.
Nadal previously was the only player able to generate that kind of torque and power. Alcaraz can do it as well.
Needs to get the ball high up on Novak because that's where he struggles, then crush the weak return.
Nadal previously was the only player able to generate that kind of torque and power. Alcaraz can do it as well.
The reports of Novak's decline were greatly exaggerated
Alcaraz looking quite frustrated so far, probably feeling the pressure a bit.
Seems to be quite windy, not sure how long that will last but Djokovic typically doesn't like these conditions.
Seems to be quite windy, not sure how long that will last but Djokovic typically doesn't like these conditions.
Shot 
Did think Novak will win today and not really surprised right now. There's been a lot of hype because of Carlos ploughing through a very average field but Novak is a very different test.
Alcaraz struggling for rhythm so far. Needs to get his game properly off the ground.
What was Djokovic's medical time out about? Put it back on an saw that he was just finished from a medical time out.
Okay, nothing serious then hopefully. It doesn't seem to be affecting him an a serious way anyway.
You know how his injuries are
Carlos needs to do better on these break points.
Made some very easy money by betting against Carlos to serve it out there. Very predictable.
The sets not over and I can't say it's been bad, but dare I say it the first two sets have been a little disappointing from a viewing perspective? Feel like there have been a lot of errors.
Was certainly billed as a match this has not turned out to be so far.
I think a large part of that is Alcaraz just unloading on the ball at weird times. Very little point construction and a shit tonne of heavy rally balls.
Insane recovery by Djokovic
Djokovic much better in the bigger moments. Feel Alcaraz needs to win this set 7-5 if he want to level things up.