NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
Crowd pretty much crazy about Serena too.
I wonder if Bianca will have MTO if went to 3 sets.
2019 Rogers Cup (Toronto) – Women's Singles
- Thread starter Enceladus
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Crowd pretty much crazy about Serena too.
I wonder if Bianca will have MTO if went to 3 sets.
gogo
Legend
Agree. They couldn't have scripted it better.
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
The final should be interesting.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
I think that many were hoping for an all Romanian final. Actually, Romanian-Canadian versus Romanian-Romanian. Don't know specifically about Toronto, but in many areas Simona is even more popular than Serena. But both are big box office right now in many parts of the world.
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THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
I doubt that. In terms ratings (IOW, the largest audience/interest for the sport) and market value, it would be hard to imagine Halep being anywhere where near that level.
I can tell you with certainty that an Andreescu - Halep final at Rogers Cup in Toronto at least would sell the last available seat in the stadium.
A Halep vs Anyone final would sell probably 90+% of the seats.
I was at Rogers Cup throughout the week, including the final, back in 2015 when Halep was an emerging player and it was an eye opener. No other player, not even Serena, had more spectators in the stands than Halep by a large margin. And I'm talking early rounds. After her matches, the stands would become almost empty although top players at the time were on the court.
The atmosphere at the final was unique for a tennis match and shocking for anyone used to tennis tournaments around the world. It was more like the atmosphere from an European soccer match if you know what I mean. Romanian-Canadians from all walks of life and ages, some not even living in Toronto like the group of ladies who sat beside me, some that never held a tennis racket in their hand like one of my neighbors came to see her and support her. Honestly, it was a goosebumps inducing experience, which I never expected. The stadium was full with only few empty seats here an there. Didn't mater Halep was playing an 18 years old nobody (no offense to Bencic).
There are a lot of second generation Canadian kids with Romanian background playing tennis in Canada just like Andreescu. Most probably won't make it to the big scene like Andreescu though but they are there.
I expect to see a lot of yellow-red-blue in the stands and a lot of chanting. Rest assured that those chants will be driven by the Romanian-Canadian spectators not the Canadians. They see Andreescu as one of theirs and will support her accordingly.
Maybe there won't be as many as it would've been for Halep but still.
Definitely an interesting match and I hope a good one.
A Halep vs Anyone final would sell probably 90+% of the seats.
I was at Rogers Cup throughout the week, including the final, back in 2015 when Halep was an emerging player and it was an eye opener. No other player, not even Serena, had more spectators in the stands than Halep by a large margin. And I'm talking early rounds. After her matches, the stands would become almost empty although top players at the time were on the court.
The atmosphere at the final was unique for a tennis match and shocking for anyone used to tennis tournaments around the world. It was more like the atmosphere from an European soccer match if you know what I mean. Romanian-Canadians from all walks of life and ages, some not even living in Toronto like the group of ladies who sat beside me, some that never held a tennis racket in their hand like one of my neighbors came to see her and support her. Honestly, it was a goosebumps inducing experience, which I never expected. The stadium was full with only few empty seats here an there. Didn't mater Halep was playing an 18 years old nobody (no offense to Bencic).
There are a lot of second generation Canadian kids with Romanian background playing tennis in Canada just like Andreescu. Most probably won't make it to the big scene like Andreescu though but they are there.
I expect to see a lot of yellow-red-blue in the stands and a lot of chanting. Rest assured that those chants will be driven by the Romanian-Canadian spectators not the Canadians. They see Andreescu as one of theirs and will support her accordingly.
Maybe there won't be as many as it would've been for Halep but still.
Definitely an interesting match and I hope a good one.
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Mainad
Bionic Poster
PDJ
G.O.A.T.
I commented elsewhere that so many matches featuring Halep are more interesting because she brings such a large fan base. And few things- in tennis- are more depressing than watching players with a pedigree playing to near empty stadiums.
Heck, Halep can even get spectators on the Asian Swing, which at times, has resembled a ghost town in recent years.
I can't think of a recent female player that has been greeted home the way Halep was after both her major wins.
That's a good question. My guess would be Halep.Wonder who they would be supporting if it had been a Halep-Andreescu final?
I remember FedCup matches in Canada.... It looked like they were in Romania.
Maybe Marius can relate as they were in Montreal and perhaps he was there. There is a sizable Romanian community in Montreal too.
PDJ
G.O.A.T.
Halep might possibly have less fans than Andreescu should they be playing the Final. But Halep's would be louder regardless of number
I remember there used to be a female poster on here (she was banned) who took the Romanian support for Halep REALLY personally when she played her favourite player..... she's probably still in a rage post Wimbledon
Mainad
Bionic Poster
Fed Cup matches between Canada and Romania have not always been too friendly.
Well... that was one individual person to make it look like that and we all know what happened on the court.
Halep is indeed very popular in Romania and with Romanians around the world. This is why she has support everywhere around the world: - 1. There are more or less Romanians everywhere where tennis tournaments happen and they go to see and support her 2. Romanians that live away from their homeland naturally connect with one of their own especially when it comes to a successful athlete 3. She has a pleasant personality and she kept her modesty despite her tremendous success which is quite rare in the Romanian society and not only (no "diva" attitude on or off court) 4. Romanians in general love sports but unfortunately notable successes have been scarce in the past decades so they embrace every chance they get to get behind their successful athletes
If I recall correctly, Cincy is another tournament where she has massive support from the local Romanian community.
I was in Romania for 2 weeks two years ago. Interesting place. And Halep posters and paintings are everywhere. She is their sports icon. Driving is totally nuts, and the traffic jams in rural areas are hard to even articulate. Beautiful country though. I have driven all over Europe and I can say that driving in Romania was the most insane thing ever. I thought Sicily was crazy but the aint nothin.
Ha, ha....I know what you mean. There are lots of busy rural roads which are the only why to get from point A to B and they are in perpetual construction which is poorly managed.
Did you drive in Bucharest during a weekday? Could be suicidal for some foreigners who have never seen that kind of traffic before, especially those who don't grasp the concept that the rule is "there is no rule". But I think there are even worse places if you go further East.
I always laugh at people who complain of how bad the traffic is in big cities in North America.
I did almost crashed many times in Bucharest. When I brought back my rental car after 10 days of driving the rental car lady went over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb. She actually found it hard to believe with the milage that I put on that I did not crash into something. I actually couldn't believe it either.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
You are underestimating Simona's draw and appeal for the recent past. At almost every venue she plays. Huge support from both Romanian and non-Romanian fans alike.
Serena has considerable support and draw as well. But her popularity is more polarizing. A lot of haters as well as supporters for SW.
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
You're focusing on Romanian support. That's not the global appeal/representation that Serena has by any stretch of the imagination.
Like several on this board and in this thread.
NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
Yeah @SystemicAnomaly , you weight in too much on Romanian support. Bianca even has less supporter than Bouchard in their match which hopefully change after this title.
NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
WIll they refund tho due to retirement from Serena?
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Not just Romanian support. Huge support from others as well.
The polarized popularity of SW is not just here. What is seen here is a microcosm of perception globally.
I was speaking primarily of box office appeal in the recent past. As for endorsements and other concerns (which I was not referring to), Serena is at or near the top. However, Simona is also in the top 10 (according to Forbes, I believe).
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no, but they'll treat everyone to free coffee and donuts at Tim Hortons
NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
In the end it's almost full house anyway by the looks of it. Good for tennis.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
@THUNDERVOLLEY
Have seen indications of a large amount of Simona popularity, from non-Romanians, in Asia and other parts of the world. Due, in part, from her work with charities and kids clinics
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Andreescu 1st tournament after injury and she wins her home tournament! Wow! First Canadian person to win the Roger Cup in 50 years too! It is a Premier WTA level tournament!
NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
Simona is popular yes for sure but I think she can be measured up to Radwanska popularity. Nowhere near Serena and to lesser degree Maria.
She might be on par with Maria atm, not sure but mainly Romanian overseas are love tennis and willing to watch her and she's the star of the Romanian sport currently anyway.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Wow. Was just about to tune in. Did not realize that it was all over already. Unfortunate end for Serena but congrats to Andreescu
It's a Premier 5 (FIVE) tournament which is different than Premier - one tier higher and almost double the points 900 vs 470.
Come on Harry, you've been active on these boards for some time.... Get these things right.
CrackedRacquet
New User
Premier 5 and Premier Mandatory are such stupid branding. How about just calling them both Tier I titles?
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Good catch.
There are four PM tournaments -- worth 1000 pts. And five P5 events worth 900 pts... Dubai, Rome, Cincy, Canada and Wuhan.
There are at least a dozen Premier events -- worth 470 pts
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Maybe so. They are effectively both Tier I. But PM is worth 100 pts more than P5. And the prize money for PM is more than double the $2million (USD) prize for P5.
WOW!!!! Check this one out.... This will steer some serious s**t I assume if it's legitimate.
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
She’s clearly kidding. They are well-known good friends. From the Bianca thread, these were her very next two tweets.
Missed the posts in Bianca thread. At the face value and out of context it looks really bad and I see people reacting accordingly. Still, bad joke and bad timing coming from Bouchard....
spystud
Talk Tennis Guru
NaomiKonjuhPotapova
G.O.A.T.
The differences in money that they offered is massive.
Mr.Lob
G.O.A.T.
LOL. Thx.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Montreal is ATP 1000 level tournament!
Mainad
Bionic Poster
Couldn't agree more. I always find the distinction confusing and rather unnecessary. The ATP categories are so much more straightforward to understand.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Mostly abt the prize money it would appear. ATP Masters and WTA PM are nearly equal in prize money I believe. P5 is about half the dough.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
You are correct. For this mens M1000, the prize is abt $4.7million USD. The women's event is only a P5 with 900 pts and $2.4million USD.
Canadian Open (tennis) - Wikipedia
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Funny how Halep hasn’t withdrawn from Cincinnati though isn’t it? Truly interesting.Nope, not weird and not a real pattern. I looked at it further. She's not a quitter. It makes no sense for her to quit after losing a set (esp with only a 1-break differential) in a QF match w/o good reason. Why would she? She had called out the trainer (twice?) in her previous match. The TC match commentator mentioned her Achilles tendon issue several times during the QF match with Marie.
And heat stroke/exhaustion (DC) is not to be taken lightly. She been hospitalized because of it.
She's played injured quite a few times. And she's lost 1st sets numerous times w/o quitting. Recall she lost the first set to Lauren Davis last year in that marathon AO match. She lost a 1st set last year to Dominika Cibulkova, 0-6, and keep playing (even tho she had been plagued by Achilles and back injuries since Cincy last year).
Last year she won Montreal and then followed it up by reaching the Cincy final. I recall that she was already dealing with Achilles (and back) issues at that point. She headed over to play at the Connecticut Open right after the Cincy final. But the day before her match there, she decided that her body couldn't take it and pulled out even though she was already there at the tournament site.
I'm sure that she hoped that the week off would leave her in good enough condition to play the US Open the following Monday . It didn't. She lost 1st set, 2-6 but kept playing only to lose in 1R. She backed off tennis to recover from injuries and did not play a tournament again until four weeks later at Wuhan (9/25). Lost to Cibulkova in 1R there. She tried to play at China Open the following week but discovered that it was a mistake after the 1st set. An MRI 3 days revealed a herniated disk in her back. That China Open match was her last tournament until the following January.
Halep's MRI reveals herniated disk but 2018 not over yet | Tennis.com
baseline.tennis.com
Rafa (and Novak in the past) have a rep for retiring. Not Simona. And don't get me started on Nick K. Simona's tenacious, aggressive counterpuncher style of play puts a bit more wear and tear on her body than that of Karolina or Elina...
Considering Serena is almost 38 while Halep is 27.... also if you’ve read any of my posts in this thread I’ve said how Serena needs to play more tournaments in the future so not sure where you’re getting that from that I’m ok with her playing 6.
Dolgopolov85
G.O.A.T.
So...around the time of Wimbledon, I had been hearing in these parts that Andreescu is just an overrated fluke. Wonder what happens to that.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
She'd only played one match in like 3 months at the time of Wimbledon after her injuries following Indian Wells/Miami..
And I think people are just apprehensive because a lot of players have a massive breakthrough and then fall off the face of the earth.
Bouchard, Bencic (injuries impacted that one but still), Ostapenko, Konta etc.
Andreescu has an incredible game and if she stays injury free I can see her having a huge career for sure. But we all thought the same thing of Bouchard and Bencic, both of whom had around about the same amount of top 10 wins at Bianca has right now (if not more). So I think it's more cautionary than disrespectful to Andreescu. Will be nice to see her at the US Open.
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Dolgopolov85
G.O.A.T.
Where does apprehension cross over into overrated, though? That's almost like resenting her success and wanting her to drop back to her 'true' level as divined by TT pundits.
One big difference between her and the players you mentioned is she has great defence. That allows her to play a high percentage game and not give away easy points. What I am more concerned about is what her fitness is going to be given she is already so heavy.
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