Why are there always so many upsets at the Australian Open?

[Serendipitous]

I need to know.

[ollinger]

Scheduling. The AO comes shortly after the longest break of the year, about a month and a half for all but the top players. Unlike the rest of the season when pretty much everyone is practicing and/or playing hard for months before a slam, some players might use that break to relax and drink egg nogg, some might really work hard on their games. Some will be in good form, some won't. Unpredictable, thus upsets.

[decrepitude]

Plus the heat affects some players more than others.

[Omega_7000]

Roger Federer Song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv8jkkrlWew

[NamRanger]

The reason why there are so many upsets is that players are given a long period of time to work on their games, and change it. This results in unpredictability from the lower ranked players. For example, someone like Federer or Nadal will not make drastic changes to their game, as they will do what has worked for them in the past.



However, someone like a Fernando Gonzalez can completely revamp their game over the break, and come out and be difficult to beat because no one has adjusted to his new playing style.

[GustafsonFanatic]

^Interesting. Verdasco and Roddick in 2009 come to mind as well.

[LiveForever]

^ cant forget Djokovic. He got his ass handed to him at TMC 2007 by Nadal, Gasquet and lost all round robin matches and then came back in 2008 and played insane tennis at Australia.

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Serendipitous: Your polls are awesome, they are always so spot on to the actual thread

Id say because most players have been given a lot of time to work on their game and strenghts and weaknesses, the top-players might not have found their form yet for different reasons (a really long tough season the year before), and the heat always exposes if you havent done your daily workout(s).

[kOaMaster]

I feel like eating an icecream right now!

[Serendipitous]

Originally Posted by kOaMaster

I feel like eating an icecream right now!

That's nice!

[Djokovicfan4life]

Haha, why does Serendipitous always vote for every poll option?

[Serendipitous]

Originally Posted by Djokovicfan4life

Haha, why does Serendipitous always vote for every poll option?

Because it's fun.

[SuperFly]

I'm good Serendip, I just finished some delicious BK cheesy tots.


But to answer your question, it looks like a mix of the conditions, the break off, and starting anew. No-names are more psyched to try and pull the upset after their break.

[kishnabe]

Everyone should be happy they were born, Since everyone get to post here. It is a privilleage in the way that the post you post yesterday, you can't post at the exact time and day tommorow. For those 8 who filled the last pole potion, I hope you guys are joking.

[Kegzz]

It's partially to do with the way people work on their games over the season, and also probably partially to do with the lower ranked players having played very few tournaments, thus they'd be refreshed and able to play their best and cause an upset.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by LiveForever

^ cant forget Djokovic. He got his ass handed to him at TMC 2007 by Nadal, Gasquet and lost all round robin matches and then came back in 2008 and played insane tennis at Australia.

Then in 2009, he elected to stay in his home country to train. When the 120 degree weather came into Melbourne, he was not prepared physically. I don't expect him to repeat that mistake this year. He has been playing better than anybody the last few tournaments.

[JeMar]

It's because of how early it is.

[LiveForever]

Originally Posted by mikeler

Then in 2009, he elected to stay in his home country to train. When the 120 degree weather came into Melbourne, he was not prepared physically. I don't expect him to repeat that mistake this year. He has been playing better than anybody the last few tournaments.

Yeah but a big part of that was Djokovic just not being the same player from the year before. AO 2008 was his absolute peak and I have yet to see better tennis from him.