Tennis: All Purpose Tennis Thread XIV

[Maverick41]

This just had to happen. This shit stain of a country... Where will it end? Russia hosting World Cups and Olympics , Qatar hosting a WC and China with the Olympics... I hope she is ok.

Not really surprising. The way these events have "(d)evolved" over the last couple of decades no sane/responsible country or city will host any of these events. They waste a ton of money for almost no gain. So that leaves the countries mentioned above as basically the only places willing to host the Games. It's a little different for the World Cup, but sprinkle in the widespread corruption and this mess is what you get.

I am no longer watching the big soccer tournaments and mostly ignoring the Olympics as well. This time I will probably not even watch the hockey tournament. I am done with this crap.

I hope the WTA keeps this up and doesn't cave.

 

[John Price]

 

[Ben Grimm]

ATP criticised for not joining WTA action on China in response to Peng Shuai safety concerns (espn.com)

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I think it's interesting that it's the WTA, which probably stands the most to lose of any sports league by getting tough with China, is the one taking a stand here. The Borg collective (the Chinese central government) appears to be rattled here a bit and doesn't really have a response other than their typical mud-slinging.

 

[MaxV]

Russia is up 1-0 on Croatia in Davis Cup Final.

Despite that, this is a must win for Medvedev vs Cilic. Croatia's doubles team of Pavic and Mektic are ranked #1 and #2 in doubles respectively.

 

[kihei]

Russia is up 1-0 on Croatia in Davis Cup Final.

Despite that, this is a must win for Medvedev vs Cilic. Croatia's doubles team of Pavic and Mektic are ranked #1 and #2 in doubles respectively.

Absolutely right. And Cilic is playing very well.

 

[MaxV]

Medvedev takes the first set with a very close 9-7 tiebreaker.

 

[kihei]

Medvedev didn't play his best that first set but won the breaker when Cilic tightened just slightly. This is a totally different pressure than these guys usually have to deal with it and it can become debilitating.

 

[kihei]

Medevedev is usally a great front runner. This set might not be as difficult as the first.

 

[kihei]

Over in a flash, 6-2.

Kudos to Russia who with their depth might make a habit of winning Davis Cups for the foreseeable future. Special mention to Rublev who entered this event running on fumes for the greater part of the past two months and lost his first match against Spain to Lopez. True, he was playing the lesser lights but he came through in the clutch from the quarters onward. As for Medvedev, he responded just great to the special pressusre of being #1 singles player in this format.

 

[MsMeow]

Bianca's taking a break:

2019 US Open champ Andreescu takes time off for mental break | AP News

 

[MsMeow]

All sorts of articles on Twitter this morning about Serena not being on the list for the Aus Open and Djokovic trying to get a medical exemption so he doesn't have to get vaxxed.

 

[Ben Grimm]

All sorts of articles on Twitter this morning about Serena not being on the list for the Aus Open and Djokovic trying to get a medical exemption so he doesn't have to get vaxxed.

(Excluding Twitter) like these Serena Williams confirms she won't play Australian Open; Novak Djokovic among men's entries (espn.com)

Serena Williams confirms skipping Australian Open; Novak Djokovic on entry list despite vaccine requirements (yahoo.com)

 

[kihei]

All sorts of articles on Twitter this morning about Serena not being on the list for the Aus Open and Djokovic trying to get a medical exemption so he doesn't have to get vaxxed.

That's just plain embarrassing. I sure hope like hell he is firmly denied.

 

[Tuggy]

20 year old Liam Draxl won his first ITF title.

 

[Jack Straw]

RIP Manuel Santana. The first Spaniard to win Wimbledon, he helped popularize the sport in Spain. He was 83.

Manuel Santana obituary

 

[kihei]

Rafa flew home to Spain and tested positive for Covid, mentioning that he has experienced "some unpleasant moments." So his schedule will remain uncertain for some time.

 

[kihei]

Sounds like the Australian Open is caving: players can now apply for medical exemptions. Tournament director Craig Tiley issued a statement saying that all players will be vaccinated....except for a few who will be granted medical exemptions And on top of that because of alleged privacy issues, who gets the exemptions will remain secret.

 

[MsMeow]

Thiem is out of the Aussie Open as is Raonic, and Zverev is the latest to test positive and has mild symptoms.

 

[MsMeow]

Djokovic pulled out of the ATP Cup.

 

[kihei]

Djokovic denied medical exemptions in Australia. Serbian media claim he will skip the Australian Open. (hot off the press from Express, so take with grains of salt)

 

[MsMeow]

Djokovic denied medical exemptions in Australia. Serbian media claim he will skip the Australian Open. (hot off the press from Express, so take with grains of salt)

I am glad they didn't give him an exemption if that is the case. They can't make up rules for one person.

 

[Tuggy]

A winning start for Leylah down under.

 

[kihei]

FAA starts the year in typical fashion, blowing a set lead to Fritz in the ATP Cup. Will do no favours to his already screwed confidence.

 

[MsMeow]

Djokovic got an exemption per his statement on Twitter. Unreal.