Brutal.
Tennis 2023
- Thread starter GuybrushThreepwood
- Start date
I really wished it would have been Rune and not Ruud. If grand slam record was not on the line I'd cheer for Ruud. He makes it to the finals somehow but has such meh game.
It’s a pity Carlitos had to fold today but… trust the process! Still on the hunt for 29 GS instead of magic number 30 
. On a serious note, Novak can just skip all the non-GS tournies right now and just focus on the peak season until he is…… 40??
. On a serious note, Novak can just skip all the non-GS tournies right now and just focus on the peak season until he is…… 40??You are going to have the biggest double of the sports season in one week, mate!
Do you mean Novak and Jokic winning titles in the same week? I am not sure I understand what you mean mate!
Dude, he was cramping and clearly at less than 60 percent capacity for the last two sets. Looked like the favourite after the second set. Besides, calling Tsitsipas trash is just silly, he's a twice GS finalist and has been a top-6 regular for years.
Alcaraz clearly needs a better fitness coach. It's not the first time he lost a match due to cramps problems this year.
Tsitsipas can be a ten time Slam finalist but he's been fairly woeful especially since the injury he'd picked up a year or so ago. Carlos beating the likes of Shapo, Sinner, and Tsitsipas really isn't a big deal and something we'd all expect given he's considerably more talented than them. Playing and beating the likes of Novak, even this old version, is the ultimate test.
It also doesn't quite help that he's going down the Thiem path of trying to play every tournament he can. He's just returned from injury after Australia and decided to go play Rio as well as Argentina before heading for the double US hard court swing and then playing the entire Clay season as well in Europe. Ferrero needs to get him to calm down so he doesn't want to end up with Nadal's physical issues.
Don't worry about it. He's done this gimmick with everyone that isn't Nadal. He almost certainly isn't actually a fan of the sport.... and still hasn't shown the pic of that bet he claimed to put on.
Gimmick? I like Carlos and I'd have preferred if he won today actually given that Novak is about to beat Rafa's record but I just think the hysteria needs to calm down a bit right now. He's beating guys like Shapo and Tsitsipas, none of whom are really very good at the moment and people were getting rather overexcited about it and we even had someone here say he can match the Big 3? I've always been opposed to the overhyping the newer kids. However, while obviously Carlos is way way better than the likes of Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Co that we've seen over the years, things were getting a little OTT. My view on the Carlos vs Novak match was consistent since two days ago as well (infact you partially agreed with my view as well). I said I don't expect Carlos to win over 5 sets and that Novak's superior match management and big game skills would see him through.
Also, for what it's worth, the only player I've actively ever really disliked is Federer. Always respected and even liked Novak and my views on him have been quite consistent and I've been backing him as GOAT over Nadal for several years now actually.
Finally, the bets you're talking about. I didn't even notice your earlier comment. I had multiple bets on Novak at that point including Novak to win Set 2 Game 9 (the one where Carlos served for the set) at 3.3/1, Novak to win the match in straight sets at 10/1 (at the point he was either 0-40 or 15-40 down on this own serve at 4-5), and in the unlikely event (in my eyes at that point) that Carlos would win the second set, I also had Novak to win in 4 sets at 5/1. I also had Novak to win the 2nd set when he'd been broken at around 8.5/1 but I obviously lost that one
. The bets were as much about Carlos not seeing through serving for that set and as much about my faith in Novak saving those multiple SPs and still winning the set and match given his far far superior mental strength to anyone else (also something we've seen him do a million times in the past). I'd be more than happy to DM you the receipts also but its a very bizarre thing to claim I'm lying about. I even have money on Novak to win the entire tournament (after he and Carlos both won their previous round matches) at 3/1 and I'm fairly certain I'll be winning that on Sunday
Last edited:
Why would you dislike Federer?
Pretty amazing for Alcaraz to be the one to lose the semi final due to cramps and not the 35 year old.
Can you guess which one had the covid vaccine?
You’re onto something
Even at 35, Novaks fitness over 5 sets is just unmatchable. It's really impressive.
It’s impressive but given the level of sports science and training methods these days, a 20 year old world number 1 should be supremely fit. Nadal certainly was at his age if I’m not mistaken? At least in grand slams.
Nadal was a freak. Djokovic was retiring out of 5 setters up until he was 22-23.
Seems that it was the tension and stress of the situation that caused them, rather than him being tired. The occasion got him and that can result or signifcantly increase the possibility of cramps.
Check bbc article. He said cramps were due to pressure of playing against novak.
Yeah just read this and honestly, while I admire the honesty, that's a bit worrying. He also said he'll be nervous even the next time he faces Novak even though he hopes to be ready. This is a big problem with players these days. Even Carlos, who is the best of the bunch, not quite there mentally when stepping onto court.
You really are on an agenda, aren't you. That's not worrying. It's perfectly normal for a 20-year-old to be nervous about such a big occasion. Djokovic wasn't an iceman at 20 either.
Again, for the final time, I like Alcaraz. Thanks to Rafa, I actually like all Spanish players and it would be great to see Alcaraz have a wonderful career and take on and beat Novak as well over the next year or so. However, tennis is as much mental as it is physical and I personally don't thing he should be saying he got nervous by the occasion and the opponent out in the media even if that's how he does actually feel. Novak is going to be his primarily rival over the next year and you should not be giving him any more of an edge than he already has by admitting the task of facing him is daunting/nervy. Or maybe that's just me.
Decent article about Alcaraz's injuries and fitness comparisons with Rafa, Roger and Novak.
I'm with wr8. This new wave of embracing vulnerability and being honest and open about the feelings isn't for every situation.
If I was Carlos id simply say that I don't know why cramps happened even if it is sort of obvious. You can always blame the weather and the difference in conditions between night and day.
There was a moment at RG where Novak literally threw up on the court playing Nadal. All knew that was not food related but realization by Novak that he ain't beating him there and nerves started kicking in...
If I was Carlos id simply say that I don't know why cramps happened even if it is sort of obvious. You can always blame the weather and the difference in conditions between night and day.
There was a moment at RG where Novak literally threw up on the court playing Nadal. All knew that was not food related but realization by Novak that he ain't beating him there and nerves started kicking in...
Cmon Iga, hope she wins today and makes it 3 trophies out of 4 last French Opens
First set 6-2, very well
This is so dull. Iga could probably enter the doubles alone and win.
A bit of sweating in the 2nd set. Muchova could served it out but off course she did not.
Yup. Like I said, I admire the honesty but when you need to gain an edge in a rivalry, I don't think this vulnerability helps. But let's hope he overcomes it because Novak vs Carlos is all tennis has going right now.
Iga already catched Osaka and she is just 22.
Will be really interesting for how many years she can play at this level, especially on clay.
Will be really interesting for how many years she can play at this level, especially on clay.
Long may her dominance continue, very glad she won it
We want Novak to lose right?
Come here Ruud boy, boy
Can you get it up?
Come here Ruud boy, boy
Is you big enough?
Come here Ruud boy, boy
Can you get it up?
Come here Ruud boy, boy
Is you big enough?
Novak needs to play atrocious for Ruud Van Casper to have a chance.
Stop bouncing the ball you endless ball bouncing twat.
Get in Ruud
You could do a covid test during each of his serve preperations.
Did not expect this start by Casper, or should I say Novak!
This final looks like it might be more interesting than I thought it would be!
This final looks like it might be more interesting than I thought it would be!
Think Novak might be a bit nervous tonight to be honest. History beckoning and all of that. Casper needs to take advantage!