Tennis: All Purpose Tennis Thread XII

[JaymzB]

I'm not sure, but I think so. Doesn't prevent anyone from making it, though. If there is a more beautiful drive anywhere in the world, I'd like to know where it is. Thailand, Costa Rica, Big Sur, and the Amalfi Coast are all contenders in my experience, but nothing takes my breath away like Hana.

Anyway I was referring to the other side of the island, Kapalua to Kahului, which is also stunning, but beautiful in a different way. I'm not sure insurance covers that anymore.

I've been lucky enough to gi to Maui a few times. Always stayed in Kihei at the Menehune Shores (pretty decent Indian Resturant there). If i win the lottery, that will be my new home.

 

[Uncle Rotter]

Yeah, I saw the score line. Too bad. That's a long way to travel for a first round exit.

She got points by qualifying though.

 

[MsMeow]

Bianca is taking 3 weeks off. Good for her. She needs to manage her body, unlike Rafa in the early days. She's going to be on with Tim and Sid tomorrow. Really hope she's on with the Overdrive guys as well.

 

[kihei]

I read this somewhere, don't remember where:

While the celebrations were still occurring on court after her US Open victory, her coach turned to her and said, "I'm not used to this." To which Bianca replied, "Get used to it."

 

[discostu]

I read this somewhere, don't remember where:

While the celebrations were still occurring on court after her US Open victory, her coach turned to her and said, "I'm not used to this." To which Bianca replied, "Get used to it."

The coach himself is a nice little story. From what I've read, it seems like he's been a guy who's worked his way up through tennis Canada over the years, and he's now a coach to a grand slam winner.

This past year must have been really interesting behind the scenes. The year started out with Bianca going to tournaments with just her trainer due to funds, with no coach and no parents. It's not surprising if it's overwhelming for a coach to find himself on such a stage.

On a podcast I was listening to, apparently the WTA has a coach of the year award, and they're saying he's probably a lead contender.

 

[discostu]

Looking ahead to the Laver Cup, it's amazing at the imbalance of the teams. The lowest ranked player on team Europe is Fabio Fognini, while the highest ranked world player is Isner at 20. Both Shapovalov and Raonic are on the world team, but Felix isn't for some reason.

Edit: I looked into the Felix thing, and he was offered, but declined, pissing off John McEnroe in the process. He wanted to play in the 250 level event in China. That's a surprising choice. You'd think he'd been welcoming opportunities to go head to head against the legends. That experience can only help you.

 

[Tuggy]

It's not April 1st but...

 

[Savi]

This comes out of nowhere.

She's 36, she's been out of tennis for 7 years and she's had 3 kids. I'm not sure how far she can go, then again I have no clue about her physical shape either.

 

[MXD]

I really, really wish her good luck. Probably my 3rd favorite player (the first being Justine and Hingis) since I'm following the sport.
But it feels like April 1st.

 

[kihei]

I think it is sad. When was her first retirement? 2007? This smacks of boxers who can't put the gloves down and keep returning to the ring long after their time is over, of so many athletes who can't adjust to life after their athletic career has ended; who compulsively return to competition because that's all that gives them a sense of purpose. I wish Kim didn't feel the need to do this.

 

[Maestro84]

Kim was one of my favourite players on the WTA for years and I remember being super excited in 2009 when she made her comeback then as well.

She actually perceeded to win 3 majors and be world number one again for a brief time in the ensuing 18 months after announcing her comeback; certainly won’t be expecting that this time around tho as she was only 26/27 at the time.

 

[MsMeow]

Oh Kim. She is one of my favourite players on the women's side, but why?

 

[Hadoop]

Interesting. Clijsters is one of my all-time favourite players on the women's side so I support her whatever happens. That said even with her tennis IQ and mental toughness it's gonna be awfully hard for her to get back to being competitive against the best after being away for so many years. My guess is that her comeback this time will be similar to Kimiko Date-Krumm's comeback several years back, as well as the recent comebacks of Zvonereva (currently ranked 102) and Patty Schneider (who reached a ranking of 144 at the end of 2017 before retiring again at the end of last year).

 

[MsMeow]

Interesting. Clijsters is one of my all-time favourite players on the women's side so I support her whatever happens. That said even with her tennis IQ and mental toughness it's gonna be awfully hard for her to get back to being competitive against the best after being away for so many years. My guess is that her comeback this time will be similar to Kimiko Date-Krumm's comeback several years back, as well as the recent comebacks of Zvonereva (currently ranked 102) and Patty Schneider (who reached a ranking of 144 at the end of 2017 before retiring again at the end of last year).

I agree. I think she can do ok in spurts but she was injury prone in her 20s and recovery takes way longer in your 30s. Look at Rebecca Marino, she' came back in her late 20s and is stuck in low level tourneys or occasionally qualifiers.

 

[discostu]

I'm generally okay with players choosing to come back and/or playing beyond their prime years. The idea of toiling away in later years against younger competition may not be appealing to most, but if a person can compete at a high enough level, even if it's a big step down from their past, I say let them.

The one caveat I'd put forward though is that I'd hate to see a comeback fueled by wildcard entries that take away spots from younger players that may deserve the slots more. The first stage of a comeback will obviously require them, but you'd want the player to be gaining entry on their ranking fairly quickly.

 

[Jussi]

20 year old Emil Ruusuvuori played two singles matches for Finland in Davis Cup vs Austria. Beat Sebastian Ofner in straight sets yesterday 6-3, 6-4. Today he beat Dominic Thiem in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

 

[Maestro84]

20 year old Emil Ruusuvuori played two singles matches for Finland in Davis Cup vs Austria. Beat Sebastian Ofner in straight sets yesterday 6-3, 6-4. Today he beat Dominic Thiem in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

Thiem's a strange player. On some days he looks like he's ready to legitimately challenge the big 3 but on other days, he bends over against players who are ranked outside the top 50

 

[Jussi]

Thiem's a strange player. On some days he looks like he's ready to legitimately challenge the big 3 but on other days, he bends over against players who are ranked outside the top 50

Emil Ruusuvuori is considered as the most talented tennis player to come out of Finland, ahead of Jarkko Nieminen, Henri Kontinen or Harri Heliövaara. He's already a top 10 junior player in the world.

 

[MsMeow]

Rafa's getting married on October 19

 

[Tuggy]

Bianca is not playing this week but she could move up to #4 in the world. Osaka has points to defend this week. Bianca is #4 in the live rankings at the moment.

 

[discostu]

Davis Cup grouos announced. Canada in group F



That seems like a tough draw. I'm not sure how the new format works either. Felix having Tsitsipas' number gives them the advantage over Greece, but both Australia and Germany have top end strength and depth, and will be tough.

Edit: I misunderstood this. It's the atp cup, not the Davis cup. Felix linked to it and I assumed it was Davis cup.

 

[discostu]

Does Bianca have any top 100 players to play with in the Fed Cup? What is Canada ranked in the Fed Cup rankings/seedings?

Eugenie Bouchard is still Canada's number 2 at 156. If Leylah Fernandez can build some momentum, it wouldn't surprise me to see her rise to Canada's number two fairly quickly though.

 

[Tuggy]

17 year old Canadian Justin Boulais, who is starting at Ohio State this fall, got a WC into the Columbus Challenger this week. He scored a top 500 win today!

His sister also goes there and plays. Isabelle won Big Ten Freshman of the year last year.

 

[Tuggy]

17 year old Canadian Justin Boulais, who is starting at Ohio State this fall, got a WC into the Columbus Challenger this week. He scored a top 500 win today!

His sister also goes there and plays. Isabelle won Big Ten Freshman of the year last year.

He'll actually face off today against Peliwo.

 

[discostu]

He'll actually face off today against Peliwo.

I know that Peliwo was never supposed to be an elite talent, but, with his junior record, it's been disappointing to watch him toil away at this level for so long. It doesn't feel like that breakthrough will ever come.