You guys are all corrupt - Shapovalov

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Sure.

Hamburg 2008 final vs Fed. Fed was a double break up in the first, Nadal takes an MTO and then comes back and wins the set.

FO 2011 F first set. Nadal is down 2-5, then takes an MTO and again comes back to win the set.
Proof that the MTO worked. What would be the point of an MTO if you are no better after it?
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Sure.

Hamburg 2008 final vs Fed. Fed was a double break up in the first, Nadal takes an MTO and then comes back and wins the set.

FO 2011 F first set. Nadal is down 2-5, then takes an MTO and again comes back to win the set.
If you have a medical discomfort and the medics help you then of course it will improve your performance. But if you are simply playing badly, no amount of MTO will help you. If an MTO is all that is needed to win a match it would be so easy.
 

mike danny

Bionic Poster
If you have a medical discomfort and the medics help you then of course it will improve your performance. But if you are simply playing badly, no amount of MTO will help you. If an MTO is all that is needed to win a match it would be so easy.
You asked, I answered.
 
N

Nuclear

Guest
If you have a medical discomfort and the medics help you then of course it will improve your performance. But if you are simply playing badly, no amount of MTO will help you. If an MTO is all that is needed to win a match it would be so easy.
MTO wins.
original.jpg
 
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wangs78

Legend
But if you are simply playing badly, no amount of MTO will help you. If an MTO is all that is needed to win a match it would be so easy.
The debate here is that some players (Novak and Nadal have been criticized for this multiple times in their careers), take an MTO to disrupt the positive momentum of their opponent. I personally think Nadal actually did have a valid issue this time around because he physically looked awful. However, I do also think that in the past he has used the MTO in unsportsmanlike ways to gain an advantage.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
The debate here is that some players (Novak and Nadal have been criticized for this multiple times in their careers), take an MTO to disrupt the positive momentum of their opponent. I personally think Nadal actually did have a valid issue this time around because he physically looked awful. However, I do also think that in the past he has used the MTO in unsportsmanlike ways to gain an advantage.
It's was all in the imagination of Federer fans who were miffed that he was no longer the TMF.
 

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
From this article, which by the way barely mentions injury problems:

The biggest Nadal devotee, Octobrina, is once again cheating readers by implying dislike of carpet was only Federer:

The other major problem it had was that the top players, the modern ones at least, didn’t like it. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal didn’t like it one bit, and they didn’t make a secret of it.

The players, though, some of them at least, mourned their loss, and there was blame aimed at Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“It is a pity that these super-fast surfaces disappear,” said Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. “We are going to play tennis where the most important thing will be to have four lungs and not the variety of strokes.

“It is said that this is given at the request of Federer and Nadal. It is incredible. So, yes one day Nadal [might] ask that all tournaments be in brick dust, then what will we do?”

Gary Duane, a Fed devotee, is once again cheating readers! He totally ignored what I said: the Paris Masters courts have been tailored for Fed more than once!

An excerpt from the article: ¤¤ “It was the year 2007 and since 2003 Federer hadn’t played the tournament,” former Paris Masters tournament director Jean-François Caujolle recalled to L’Equipe. “Then we put in contact with his team and asked them why he wasn’t coming.

“It turned out that he didn’t like the [carpet] surface we had then at all and advised us to contact an Austrian company which designed a type of resin similar to that of Vienna.
“We did and fulfilled his wishes. We got in contact with the company and changed the surface.”

That still, though, wasn’t to Federer’s liking. The bounce was now too high and the speed too slow. It favoured Rafael Nadal’s notorious high-bouncing top-spin forehands that exposed the one-handed backhand of Federer by bouncing up over shoulder height.
When he came to Paris he noticed that there wasn’t much of a difference among surfaces in the circuit and told us that it felt like the ones in Indian Wells and Miami, where he had lost twice against Guillermo Cañas”

“I started looking for materials to give a lower bounce and turn the game faster. In 2010 we managed to build the fastest court in the world. That one clearly suited a lot better Federer’s game than Nadal’s.
“The curious thing was that that year players like Ivan Ljubicic (Federer’s future coach) and John Isner lost in the first round. The court didn’t seem to favour the big servers but the best volleyers.
Finally, in 2011 Federer was able to win the tournament.” ¤¤
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
An intention to retire is not the same as actually retiring.
The point is, Murray hasn't been sidelined with injury throughout his career to the extent that Rafa has. Murray has only had extended time out since his hip injury around 2017.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
From this article, which by the way barely mentions injury problems:

The biggest Nadal devotee, Octobrina, is once again cheating readers by implying dislike of carpet was only Federer:

The other major problem it had was that the top players, the modern ones at least, didn’t like it. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal didn’t like it one bit, and they didn’t make a secret of it.

The players, though, some of them at least, mourned their loss, and there was blame aimed at Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“It is a pity that these super-fast surfaces disappear,” said Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. “We are going to play tennis where the most important thing will be to have four lungs and not the variety of strokes.

“It is said that this is given at the request of Federer and Nadal. It is incredible. So, yes one day Nadal [might] ask that all tournaments be in brick dust, then what will we do?”

Former Paris Bercy TD admits changing the surface TWICE upon consulting with Federer
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
The point is, Murray hasn't been sidelined with injury throughout his career to the extent that Rafa has. Murray has only had extended time out since his hip injury around 2017.

Murray's back and hip injuries have been far more severe than anything Nadal has had to endure. The hip injury has terminally sidelined him as a top player. None of Nadal's injuries have sidelined him in any way. Unlike Murray he is still fit enough to contend for Slams for goodness sake.
 

Gary Duane

G.O.A.T.
Former Paris Bercy TD admits changing the surface TWICE upon consulting with Federer
Repeating for you, since ordinary you are at least a somewhat fair poster:

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal didn’t like it one bit, and they didn’t make a secret of it.

In 2009, the ATP banned carpet surfaces. The reason given, according to communications director Kris Dent, was to “standardise surfaces and reduce the risk of injuries.”

The players, though, some of them at least, mourned their loss, and there was blame aimed at Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“It is a pity that these super-fast surfaces disappear,” said Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. “We are going to play tennis where the most important thing will be to have four lungs and not the variety of strokes.

“It is said that this is given at the request of Federer and Nadal.

The point: it's not just about one powerful ATG getting his way. The Big 3 have all used their popularity and power to get their way. The article appears to be centered around Fed, but the three mentions of "Federer and Nadal" make clear what is really going on. They Big 3 ALL want things their way.

Now, you can make this all about Fed, and other people will make it all about Nadal's delays and tactics, and still others will make Joker out to be the worst human being who has ever lived. But I believe fair people simply look at what is going on and realize that the top ATGs demand and get privileges that that other players don't get.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Repeating for you, since ordinary you are at least a somewhat fair poster:

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal didn’t like it one bit, and they didn’t make a secret of it.

In 2009, the ATP banned carpet surfaces. The reason given, according to communications director Kris Dent, was to “standardise surfaces and reduce the risk of injuries.”

The players, though, some of them at least, mourned their loss, and there was blame aimed at Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“It is a pity that these super-fast surfaces disappear,” said Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. “We are going to play tennis where the most important thing will be to have four lungs and not the variety of strokes.

“It is said that this is given at the request of Federer and Nadal.

The point: it's not just about one powerful ATG getting his way. The Big 3 have all used their popularity and power to get their way. The article appears to be centered around Fed, but the three mentions of "Federer and Nadal" make clear what is really going on. They Big 3 ALL want things their way.

Now, you can make this all about Fed, and other people will make it all about Nadal's delays and tactics, and still others will make Joker out to be the worst human being who has ever lived. But I believe fair people simply look at what is going on and realize that the top ATGs demand and get privileges that that other players don't get.

As a further example, look what happened to Madrid's blue clay experiment when 2 of the top 3 ATGs (ie. Nadal and Djokovic) said they didn't like it.
 

Gary Duane

G.O.A.T.
Former Paris Bercy TD admits changing the surface TWICE upon consulting with Federer
And I'll remind you that the thread title is:

You guys are all corrupt - Shapovalov

My point is that none of these guys are "corrupt", because I reserve that word for politicians, lawyers and other such people. And, by the way, any fair person in this forum knows I tend to be equally critical of all the top guys. I don't have a dog in this fight. I don't defend the actions of any player 100% of the time. The fact that I prefer the play style of Fed has NOTHING to do with what I think of him as a human being. There are some things I like, some I do not like, and a helluva a lot I just don't know about.

The same as Nadal, Joker and all the other guys who are a bit below these three in success and titles.
 

Gary Duane

G.O.A.T.
As a further example, look what happened to Madrid's blue clay experiment when 2 of the top 3 ATGs (ie. Nadal and Djokovic) said they didn't like it.
Exactly. I'm sure Murray would push as hard to sway things his way, but he's never been in the same position as the Big 3 to do that.

The top guys want what they want, when they want it, and they use their influence to get it. That's what money and fame give you.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Exactly. I'm sure Murray would push as hard to sway things his way, but he's never been in the same position as the Big 3 to do that.

The top guys want what they want, when they want it, and they use their influence to get it. That's what money and fame give you.
In the case of the blue clay, a perfectly good surface was changed because of the whim of Tiriac all they did was put his silly idea aside and go back to normal.
 

Gary Duane

G.O.A.T.
In the case of the blue clay, a perfectly good surface was changed because of the whim of Tiriac all they did was put his silly idea aside and go back to normal.
I don't have any major disagreements with you, and I have never had them.

But I don't agree that the color was a bad idea. I like it. From everything I've read the objection was not to the color but to the way that clay played, slippery and probably dangerous.

I don't know how in hell I got a rep for being anti Nadal. Fed has been my favorite player on fast surfaces, but I have often rooted for Nadal and will for sure in this final.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
I don't have any major disagreements with you, and I have never had them.

But I don't agree that the color was a bad idea. I like it. From everything I've read the objection was not to the color but to the way that clay played, slippery and probably dangerous.

I don't know how in hell I got a rep for being anti Nadal. Fed has been my favorite player on fast surfaces, but I have often rooted for Nadal and will for sure in this final.
Being a Rafan or a Fedfan automatically means hating the other one in people's minds. I know that there are no holes barred in me pointing out the shortcomings of Rafa's rivals because Rafa is unfairly attacked all the time by other fans.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
I don't have any major disagreements with you, and I have never had them.

But I don't agree that the color was a bad idea. I like it. From everything I've read the objection was not to the color but to the way that clay played, slippery and probably dangerous.

I don't know how in hell I got a rep for being anti Nadal. Fed has been my favorite player on fast surfaces, but I have often rooted for Nadal and will for sure in this final.
I actually liked the colour of the blue clay but it was just put over a slippery surface and that was dangerous for a start.
 

Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
Rafa is unfairly attacked all the time by other fans.

Not ALL THE TIME. It was absolutely fair to attack Rafa for taking way too long to serve. And in less politically correct times, when Djokovic impersonated Sharapova, she replied by saying all she would have to do to imitate him was to keep bouncing the ball endlessly. This was all well known and not some conspiracy as much as you would like to pretend it was. And between Nadalovic legitimising time wasting and strategic breaks and Fed getting carpet banned and slowing down Paris to finally win it, Big Three have turned tennis into a sport where everything is arranged to give THEM the best chance to win rather than the player who plays best on the day. They have ruined it with endless idolatry of them by their enormous fanbases and the romance of tennis as a sport where theoretically anybody in the draw could win is gone. As a Fed fan, I really don't give a rat's ass about the slam race anymore and would like to see all three gone asap from the sport. They are great, three of the greatest, but they have also never missed a chance to use their power and influence in unfair ways. And this is not normal and accepted in tennis. Many past champions did not do what the Big Three have done and I am not going to condone it just because the Big Three are done great. It's still wrong.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Not ALL THE TIME. It was absolutely fair to attack Rafa for taking way too long to serve. And in less politically correct times, when Djokovic impersonated Sharapova, she replied by saying all she would have to do to imitate him was to keep bouncing the ball endlessly. This was all well known and not some conspiracy as much as you would like to pretend it was. And between Nadalovic legitimising time wasting and strategic breaks and Fed getting carpet banned and slowing down Paris to finally win it, Big Three have turned tennis into a sport where everything is arranged to give THEM the best chance to win rather than the player who plays best on the day. They have ruined it with endless idolatry of them by their enormous fanbases and the romance of tennis as a sport where theoretically anybody in the draw could win is gone. As a Fed fan, I really don't give a rat's ass about the slam race anymore and would like to see all three gone asap from the sport. They are great, three of the greatest, but they have also never missed a chance to use their power and influence in unfair ways. And this is not normal and accepted in tennis. Many past champions did not do what the Big Three have done and I am not going to condone it just because the Big Three are done great. It's still wrong.
I don't agree with the 25 seconds between points just so that players like Nadal and Djokovic don't have enough time to play in their individual way. Before they first introduced the time limit, everyone knew the unique routines of players like Becker, Edberg, Lendl, McEnroe etc. They were not put in an indentikit straight jacket to have the same routine as Federer whose serve is one of his biggest assets. Tennis is not just about hitting the ball, you have to plan your strategy and think 2 to 4 shots ahead which is what Nadal and Djokovic have been denied. Why do people object to the number of times Djokovic bounces the ball? Does it really make that much difference to the viewer?

Their opponents know what to expect from them when they are serving so no one is at a disadvantage. No one complains when big servers tend to rush their opponent by trying to serve before the 25 seconds are up.
 

Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
I don't agree with the 25 seconds between points just so that players like Nadal and Djokovic don't have enough time to play in their individual way. Before they first introduced the time limit, everyone knew the unique routines of players like Becker, Edberg, Lendl, McEnroe etc. They were not put in an indentikit straight jacket to have the same routine as Federer whose serve is one of his biggest assets. Tennis is not just about hitting the ball, you have to plan your strategy and think 2 to 4 shots ahead which is what Nadal and Djokovic have been denied. Why do people object to the number of times Djokovic bounces the ball? Does it really make that much difference to the viewer?

Their opponents know what to expect from them when they are serving so no one is at a disadvantage. No one complains when big servers tend to rush their opponent by trying to serve before the 25 seconds are up.
The rule was there long before Nadalovic, don't make it out like some Federer conspiracy against them. I mentioned up thread that I have seen serves being docked from Sampras and Graf and they NEVER wasted as much time as Nadalovic. I would also add that neither player made a fuss even during the match to the umpire about losing a serve, let alone whine about it in the press conference.

As for why, well, that's the point of tennis. It's not chess, you can't take forever to plot your next move. You must get on with it and formulate your strategy on your feet and in an instant. If that's too hard, don't play, simple. And by the way, Nadal himself adjusted his routine to the shot clock after all his protests against it. It was never about the routine, it was about giving himself extra time at the expense of his opponent. But you have blinkers on so you won't admit it.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
The rule was there long before Nadalovic, don't make it out like some Federer conspiracy against them. I mentioned up thread that I have seen serves being docked from Sampras and Graf and they NEVER wasted as much time as Nadalovic. I would also add that neither player made a fuss even during the match to the umpire about losing a serve, let alone whine about it in the press conference.

As for why, well, that's the point of tennis. It's not chess, you can't take forever to plot your next move. You must get on with it and formulate your strategy on your feet and in an instant. If that's too hard, don't play, simple. And by the way, Nadal himself adjusted his routine to the shot clock after all his protests against it. It was never about the routine, it was about giving himself extra time at the expense of his opponent. But you have blinkers on so you won't admit it.

The rule wasn't enforced for years until Federer put his foot down.
Federer wants players to observe time rules, for fear of losing viewers
"What you're going to see next is all of a sudden a shot clock,"

ByKamakshi Tandon
Published Jun 27, 2014

Roger Federer has spoken out about the importance of players not taking too long between points, in order to keep people's attention on matches.

"I just think it's important that we, as players, play up to speed, and don't exceed the time limit,'' he said after winning his second-round match at Wimbledon, ''because what I don't want is that we lose viewers because we play too slow."

Federer's comments came on a day when Rafael Nadal was accused of taking too long between points by his opponent, Lukas Rosol, but Federer said he was speaking from one of his own experiences.

"I just realize it happened to me," he said. "I did watch some matches. I don't remember who it was. But they were playing so slow I was like, 'Okay, I really—I can't watch it.'

"That's why I said that."

About Nadal's match, Federer said, "That's an umpire's call."

Grand Slam rules allow players 20 seconds between points, though it appears the rule is enforced less strictly than at ATP events, where players are allowed 25 seconds.

"I was talking in particular if the points are short. You cannot take 25 seconds. I mean, I know you need to focus. That you can do in 10 seconds," said Federer. "Just can't be that we only see two points per minute. I just feel like we need to keep up the pace, and obviously play according to the rules."

About Nadal's match, Federer said, "That's an umpire's call."

Grand Slam rules allow players 20 seconds between points, though it appears the rule is enforced less strictly than at ATP events, where players are allowed 25 seconds.

"I was talking in particular if the points are short. You cannot take 25 seconds. I mean, I know you need to focus. That you can do in 10 seconds," said Federer. "Just can't be that we only see two points per minute. I just feel like we need to keep up the pace, and obviously play according to the rules."

However, he added, there should be some acknowledgement of long points and crowd disruption, something Nadal has criticized umpires for not doing.

"The rules are there not to be broken, but of course you need to give leeway to tough rallies and somebody who's needs a bit more time. I'm fine with that" said Federer.

The issue has received greater attention since Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who both regularly take a long time between points, have become top players.

The ATP tour began enforcing its 25-second rule more frequently a year ago, but also reduced the penalties for going over the limit. Federer said the issue had been discussed by the player council, which he was then a member of.

"Basically we just said we needed to just enforce the rule, is that it? It wasn't a rule change. It was about enforcing the rule and tell the umpires to basically do what they are supposed to be doing—and not just let it run its course every single time," he said.

But officials have again become more lenient, Federer suggested, and there could be further steps taken if the problem is not resolved.

"Yeah, they have gotten a little less aggressive, the umpires, again, which is understandable sometimes," he said, but added, "What you're going to see next is all of a sudden a shot clock. We discussed that as well. We said we didn't need to go that far. That the next council can decide. I wouldn't be surprised if that were to happen all of a sudden. Because you only just need a couple of guys always doing it, and that's when it happens."

Players have often complained about getting a warning for going over the limit once; others, like Rosol, have said top players are not called on the rule enough.

Federer argued that like him, players should develop a habit of not taking too much time, saying, "But I don't think all of last year I got a warning. Did I always play under 20, 25 seconds—I‘m not sure, but maybe I do get the benefit for playing quick most of the time."

 
It is very easy to dispense with the whole Time Rule issue.

1/ Towels - Players are not allowed to place towels on the side of the court. If players want to use a towel, it has to remain on their person during the game. They can get a fresh towel at each change over.

2/ Tennis Balls - Players are not permitted to check and select the tennis balls they serve with. They must serve using the two balls that are thrown to them by the Ballpersons.

3/ Toilet Break - If a player chooses to take a Toilet Break, they forfeit the first game of the next set.

Otherwise, the scoring format of Major Tournament matches should be changed.
If they want to continue to use Best of 5 Sets then they should be 5 game Sets. (Deciding Point after 5th Deuce. Tiebreak can be played at 5-5).
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Denis Shapovalov Slapped With the Heftiest Fine at Australian Open 2022, Daniil Medvedev to Face Similar Situation

Published 01/28/2022, 11:40 PM EST

Earlier in the tournament, Canadian Denis Shapovalov had shouted at the chair umpire Carlos Bernardes in the quarterfinals. He felt that the umpire was showing favoritism to Rafael Nadal and not penalizing him for delays. Further, he even went on to say, “You guys are all corrupt.”

Subsequently, Denis Shapovalov received the biggest fine of the tournament, $8,000 for his outburst and unsportsmanlike conduct.

 

tex123

Hall of Fame
It is very easy to dispense with the whole Time Rule issue.

1/ Towels - Players are not allowed to place towels on the side of the court. If players want to use a towel, it has to remain on their person during the game. They can get a fresh towel at each change over.

2/ Tennis Balls - Players are not permitted to check and select the tennis balls they serve with. They must serve using the two balls that are thrown to them by the Ballpersons.

3/ Toilet Break - If a player chooses to take a Toilet Break, they forfeit the first game of the next set.

Otherwise, the scoring format of Major Tournament matches should be changed.
If they want to continue to use Best of 5 Sets then they should be 5 game Sets. (Deciding Point after 5th Deuce. Tiebreak can be played at 5-5).
I might watch a movie instead. What's a tennis match without a little bit of drama?
 

tex123

Hall of Fame
Denis Shapovalov Slapped With the Heftiest Fine at Australian Open 2022, Daniil Medvedev to Face Similar Situation

Published 01/28/2022, 11:40 PM EST

Earlier in the tournament, Canadian Denis Shapovalov had shouted at the chair umpire Carlos Bernardes in the quarterfinals. He felt that the umpire was showing favoritism to Rafael Nadal and not penalizing him for delays. Further, he even went on to say, “You guys are all corrupt.”

Subsequently, Denis Shapovalov received the biggest fine of the tournament, $8,000 for his outburst and unsportsmanlike conduct.

Meddy and Shapo both. Good. Serves them right.
 

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
It is very easy to dispense with the whole Time Rule issue.

1/ Towels - Players are not allowed to place towels on the side of the court. If players want to use a towel, it has to remain on their person during the game. They can get a fresh towel at each change over.
I would not recommend players competing wrapped up in towels, like getting out of the shower.
 

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
Gary Duane, a Fed devotee, is once again cheating readers! He totally ignored what I said: the Paris Masters courts have been tailored for Fed more than once!

An excerpt from the article: ¤¤ “It was the year 2007 and since 2003 Federer hadn’t played the tournament,” former Paris Masters tournament director Jean-François Caujolle recalled to L’Equipe. “Then we put in contact with his team and asked them why he wasn’t coming.

“It turned out that he didn’t like the [carpet] surface we had then at all and advised us to contact an Austrian company which designed a type of resin similar to that of Vienna.
“We did and fulfilled his wishes. We got in contact with the company and changed the surface.”

That still, though, wasn’t to Federer’s liking. The bounce was now too high and the speed too slow. It favoured Rafael Nadal’s notorious high-bouncing top-spin forehands that exposed the one-handed backhand of Federer by bouncing up over shoulder height.
When he came to Paris he noticed that there wasn’t much of a difference among surfaces in the circuit and told us that it felt like the ones in Indian Wells and Miami, where he had lost twice against Guillermo Cañas”

“I started looking for materials to give a lower bounce and turn the game faster. In 2010 we managed to build the fastest court in the world. That one clearly suited a lot better Federer’s game than Nadal’s.
“The curious thing was that that year players like Ivan Ljubicic (Federer’s future coach) and John Isner lost in the first round. The court didn’t seem to favour the big servers but the best volleyers.
Finally, in 2011 Federer was able to win the tournament.” ¤¤
What do you mean?
I support @Gary Duane. He’s not a corrupt poster.
 

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
octobrina and clayqueen are like twin sisters you should always take it into account;)
Yes, I can’t tell one from the other if I don’t read the usernames in their posts.
I can‘t remember who of them copyrighted the Federer Devotee(TM) term.
 
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Gary Duane

G.O.A.T.
What do you mean?
I support @Gary Duane. He’s not a corrupt poster.
Fed devotee from a Nadal fanatic means that 100% of your posts have to be praise of Nadal while you do everything possible to throw mud on his opponents. In other words, to be part of the Octobrina fanaticism you have to be that "loyal". It's a very strange way to enjoy tennis.

I've been around here since 2013. People know that at various times I written positive things about all the Big 3. Fed plays a kind of game I prefer to watch, but that's a meaningless quirk, like preferring chocolate over strawberry or vanilla. It's just what I like.

For years I've said that the Big 3 all have cases to be made for being the best of this century. It's all about what you emphasize, nothing more. Right now I like the way Rafa has fought back, again, so I'd like to see him win again. But I'd also like to see Nexgen establish themselves, so I'd also be fine with a Med win.

There are Big 3 fans, reasonable fans, that I like on this board, the people who have preferences but who do not want to go to war with other people. My problem is with fanaticism. I hate it, in any form.
 
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