2018 Halle (Gerry Weber Open); ATP 500 - General discussion & handwringering

[smoledman]

Federer regarding Halle - 'to the last I will grapple with thee...'.

 

[sbengte]

Zverev or Nadal will be the best winners. Both hated by Fed fans + the bonus of Fed not winning Wimbledon.

(Woo hoo.. !!! Look who's back)

(Bullzie, you can safely bet your house on Nadal winning Wimbledon this year. It is just going to happen, trust me)

 

[Tennisgods]

Last year he won Halle and then absolutely obliterated all competition at Wimbledon. People literally said the same stuff last year.

As I said earlier, we’re a year on, and at that age that might as well be 3 years.

Playing this much tennis at his age increases the chance of him coming out flat at some point.

I hope it doesn’t affect him too much.

 

[zagor]

As I said earlier, we’re a year on, and at that age that might as well be 3 years.

Playing this much tennis at his age increases the chance of him coming out flat at some point.

I hope it doesn’t affect him too much.

I don't think it's just that he's a year older, he had more in tank last year for Halle due to losing in Stuttgart first round. This time around he won the title.

Going all out in Halle might not be the smartest thing but I guess he knows what he's doing.

 

[Forehand_Slice]

Paire has such a good inside out backhand, if only the forehand was better.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Federer's R2 press conference:

https://www.gerryweber-open.de/en/t...lisch-interview-mit-roger-federer-21-06-2018/

It was pretty tight. How did you work your way out of it?
I mean you just try to get off to a good start in the breaker, you know, try to hold your ground, try to stay with him whatever happens, try to take the right decisions you know as you go along the way but you also need a little bit of luck I guess, you know. I felt there was a … it was a tough match, I played at a good level actually. I think also he served well and had a good mix and a good variety. It was hard to break. So, naturally it was always going to be tight. And at the end it was just extremely close. So, I’m fortunate to have made it today.

So, how important is a positive mind-set, especially on the match point, to go for your shot instead of waiting for mistakes, risking?
I mean it was not blind risk, so it was controlled but I was trying to sometimes play controlled and it didn’t work as well. So, you need a bit of luck, I mean not luck but the right type of commitment, the right type of ball, the right reaction and when you hit it and let it go, instead it lands 20 cm in and not 10 cm out and those outcomes you cannot always control. But, look, I think I created quite a few opportunities. Maybe a few more then he did overall, especially on the return games and I was maybe a bit tentative at times you know, but I think it was also because of the way he was playing and serving and all that stuff. So, the only thing that I can say is that maybe it was a bit disappointing how I served in the second set. You know, one game I got broken the first one which was a bad service game and the second one I got broken I was frustrated I guess and that’s not allowed to happen. So, I hope I can clean that up for the next round. But other than that for most of the match I was actually quite pleases. So, it’s not a bad match for me.

When you see your opponent being upset, breaking his racket, does that do something to your play?
No. I mean I guess it’s better if he doesn’t do it but I don’t really take much from it. I anyway check out my opponent very little. You know, I turn around very quickly to focus on my next point and on my relaxation mode if you like. I hear more the roar than anything else, then maybe I quickly have a glance and I see maybe the racket out of his hand. But, at the end of the day, as long as he doesn’t destroy the court, it’s all good.

I am curious if last week’s and this second-round match gave you a little confidence?
The good thing about matches like these, because I lost plenty of matches also having had match point, you know, it’s a good feeling to win these regardless of when that happens in the season. But I think because I haven’t played it really allows me to play a lot of points under a lot of pressure, because every service game on in the third set I believe, you know, being in the third set again was a good feeling, then every service game from 4 all it really [inaudible] a little bit and then obviously every point in the breaker. You know you just feel different as you approach the baseline to serve or you stand there to return you know everything will make a difference and it’s good for me to go through these emotional feelings than, let’s say I came back and every match was straightforward. Then, all of a sudden when the big hard core match came around maybe I’m not ready. So, I feel like this I’m ready for tight matches. Of course, I prefer to win them easier if possible. But I think I can take a lot of positives away from a hard-fought match, especially also confidence and seeing fitness wise also I’m right there, it’s not a problem and that’s good to know.

Last year, your intensity on grass was Stuttgart, Halle, Wimbledon. This year you have already played the number of matches of the last year and you are going to play more. Are you afraid of the overload of matches?
It depends how it goes tomorrow. You know if every match is going to finish 7-6 in the third now it makes a difference than losing 2 and 2 tomorrow. I hope I have a problem that I’m going to play a lot of tennis this week-end and then honestly I have a very light schedule ahead of Wimbledon. I have hardly anything going on in terms of press and sponsors. As you know I know the importance of Wimbledon, I know how much down-time I need before Wimbledon and because I knew my schedule with Stuttgart and Halle could be intense I try to minimum. I'm really focussed on practice and rest. So, actually in actual fact I don’t believe it’s going to be a problem unless I would be carrying an injury and am playing through injury which I’m not doing right now. So, I’m actually not too worried. The only hope I have is to stay injury free throughout this week and then anyway, regardless of how I’m going to play here, I’m going to pace myself next week.

Does today’s match compare to any other second-round match you played?
Here?

Yes, in Halle?
I don’t know my second-round matches from the last fifteen years but I do remember almost losing some, there is a Youzhny match, there is a Rochus match, there were quite a few I feel. I think luck has often gone on my side here in this tournament. I don’t know if it is crowd support, the feeling I get, losing on grass is harder for me than maybe on other surfaces. I’m not sure what it is. Were you thinking of one particular one?

No.

I particularly liked

At the end of the day, as long as he doesn’t destroy the court, it’s all good.

That last question was a bit weird though.

 

[Boom-Boom]

Paire has such a good inside out backhand, if only the forehand was better.

it’s crazy he hasn’t improved on that shot after 10 years on tour ... I mean the guy reached #18 a few years ago

always breaking down under pressure, especially when he has to inject pace

weird to see RF not playing more on Paire’s FH side a bit like he isn’t playing enough to DelPo’s BH side

 

[ForumMember]

Zverev winning Wimbledon would kill the sport.

Do you want that?

it will not kill Tennis, it will just kill grass court Tennis and that most if the ppl would be okay with.

 

[ForumMember]

This is stupid VB drivel. Fed never tanks, actually. He may lose, but he never tanks. Or doesn't show up because he doesn't feel 100% and invents a phantom injury.

Yeah.. instead of tanking he does what he did at 13 WTF to avoid Djoko. But wait, he does tanking too - remember that Tommy Roberedo Q4 (or QF??) from USO13? it would have given us elusive Fedal at USO.. but Federer had his own ideas .

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Zverev winning Wimbledon would kill the sport.

Do you want that?

It would revitalise the sport to have one of the up-and-coming young guys win Wimbledon.

I know you don't like Zverev, and you're trying to be funny about it, but it's getting a little bit much TBH. And Zverev isn't winning Wimbledon this year anyway.

 

[Red Rick]

It would revitalise the sport to have one of the up-and-coming young guys win Wimbledon.

I know you don't like Zverev, and you're trying to be funny about it, but it's getting a little bit much TBH. And Zverev isn't winning Wimbledon this year anyway.

I don't know. He looked pretty dangerous in Halle.

No, but Zverev winning wouldn't be terrible for the sport, I don't need to delude myself into thinking that to hate him with a passion

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

it will not kill Tennis, it will just kill grass court Tennis and that most if the ppl would be okay with.

They say Halle should be a Master. But look at who is there. Barcelona had a much better attendance.
Lol

 

[mightyjeditribble]

They say Halle should be a Master. But look at who is there. Barcelona had a much better attendance.
Lol

Stadium looks full, don't think there is an issue with attendance.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Stadium looks full, don't think there is an issue with attendance.

That's the case with most tournaments in Europe.
I meant level of players that is there.
Barcelona had a higher level than Halle. Halle is at best a 500. Could even be a 250.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

They say Halle should be a Master. But look at who is there. Barcelona had a much better attendance.
Lol

Nah I think Queens should be a masters.

Halle doesn’t have that same prestige. Queens feels like a masters.

 

[George Turner]

Nah I think Queens should be a masters.

Halle doesn’t have that same prestige. Queens feels like a masters.

but Fedr plays at Halle!!

He's desperate to level that grass H2H against Thiem.

 

[jaggy]

Kudla having a great week.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

That's the case with most tournaments in Europe.
I meant level of players that is there.
Barcelona had a higher level than Halle. Halle is at best a 500. Could even be a 250.

Halle always suffers a bit in comparison with Queen's Club, that's only natural. Still, I don't think the field was that bad this year, with Federer, Zverev and Thiem; the latter two just lost early which can always happen. I think Barcelona is maybe slightly better than Halle most years in terms of the field, but a bit similar in the sense that (most years) the main draw is Nadal, as is Federer at Halle. I would say the Queen's field is usually better than both Barcelona and Halle.

I don't think anyone is saying that Halle is MS1000 level with the current fields. If there was a MS1000 on grass, then the top players would be there.

One thing with Halle (and also Queen's) is that it is a change of surface - even with Stuttgart/Rosmalen, many players will be playing on grass for the first time - so there is a greater chance of early upsets.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

but Fedr plays at Halle!!

He's desperate to level that grass H2H against Thiem.

Both would be a M1000 if I had a choice but Queens is the more worthy option imo.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Halle always suffers a bit in comparison with Queen's Club, that's only natural. Still, I don't think the field was that bad this year, with Federer, Zverev and Thiem; the latter two just lost early which can always happen. I think Barcelona is maybe slightly better than Halle most years in terms of the field, but a bit similar in the sense that (most years) the main draw is Nadal, as is Federer at Halle. I would say the Queen's field is usually better than both Barcelona and Halle.

I don't think anyone is saying that Halle is MS1000 level with the current fields. If there was a MS1000 on grass, then the top players would be there.

One thing with Halle (and also Queen's) is that it is a change of surface - even with Stuttgart/Rosmalen, many players will be playing on grass for the first time - so there is a greater chance of early upsets.

Quite many saying Halle should be a master. I'm saying no way. It's merely a 500.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Nah I think Queens should be a masters.

Halle doesn’t have that same prestige. Queens feels like a masters.

Agreed, but it has been stated that they don't have the facilities to hold a masters unfortunately.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Nah I think Queens should be a masters.

Halle doesn’t have that same prestige. Queens feels like a masters.

Queens ain't big enough to be a master.
But I agree, queens is such a legendary and beautiful event.
It's only Wimbledon and queens that are nice grass events.
While clay got so many.

Maybe someday someone gets brave and rich enough to make a super nice grass tournament that could become a master.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Quite many saying Halle should be a master. I'm saying no way. It's merely a 500.

Right, but I think the people who say Halle should be a Masters are not suggesting that it currently has the same field as a Masters.

I mean, make most of the current MS1000 an ATP500/ATP250, in parallel with some other tournaments, and see what happens. Case in point: Hamburg.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Halle got that super annoying roof and walls that makes these shadows on court.
For types like me that got a small OCD about liking things to be even, Halle is almost unwatchable for me.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Right, but I think the people who say Halle should be a Masters are not suggesting that it currently has the same field as a Masters.

I mean, make most of the current MS1000 an ATP500/ATP250, in parallel with some other tournaments, and see what happens. Case in point: Hamburg.

See my previous post there about the shadows on court. Wonder if that is the reason many players dodge Halle.

I ageee Hamburg is beautiful!!
Could be a grass master maybe if it's big enough.
Clay already got the nicests courts out there with MC on the top. Christ that is one stunning court, almost would like to move in there

 

[NatF]

Both would be a M1000 if I had a choice but Queens is the more worthy option imo.

Queen's has the history and the prestige but not the facilities.

 

[NatF]

See my previous post there about the shadows on court. Wonder if that is the reason many players dodge Halle.

I ageee Hamburg is beautiful!!
Could be a grass master maybe if it's big enough.
Clay already got the nicests courts out there with MC on the top. Christ that is one stunning court, almost would like to move in there

The view in MC is insane, I prefer the Rome court though - reminds me of a gladiator pit. Madrid has arguably the worst looking main court/stadium though.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Queen's has the history and the prestige but not the facilities.

I don't think there is more space there to make it bigger either. In the middle of London.
But on the other hand it's such a classy event you don't really want it to change. Just enjoy the event as it is. It's beautiful around there.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Halle got that super annoying roof and walls that makes these shadows on court.
For types like me that got a small OCD about liking things to be even, Halle is almost unwatchable for me.

Agree. I’d attended last year and it was quite annoying.

For those that say watching the ball on red clay is difficult, it’s much worse against a backdrop of light green. From fourth row live, as the shadows play out, it’s quite tricky.

In fact, it’s a bit easier to follow on tv.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

The view in MC is insane, I prefer the Rome court though - reminds me of a gladiator pit. Madrid has arguably the worst looking main court/stadium though.

To me MC is unreal nice. My absolute fav. The others are hardly comparable.
But also to take into consideration the town and other atttractions where there venue is, Roma maybe the best one.
I love Barcelona a lot. To me that is maybe the greatest big city in the world since it has fantastic beaches and great architecture and food. So for me I'd go Barcelona over most master 1000 and for sure never go Halle because it's boring around there.
Barcelona got the full package for a holiday and tennis.
London is also great of course for Queens and Wimbledon.
I don't like Madrid as a city so much, that's why I'm not watching tennis there. Roma is such a classic.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

To me MC is unreal nice. My absolute fav. The others are hardly comparable.
But also to take into consideration the town and other atttractions where there venue is, Roma maybe the best one.
I love Barcelona a lot. To me that is maybe the greatest big city in the world since it has fantastic beaches and great architecture and food. So for me I'd go Barcelona over most master 1000 and for sure never go Halle because it's boring around there.
Barcelona got the full package for a holiday and tennis.
London is also great of course for Queens and Wimbledon.
I don't like Madrid as a city so much, that's why I'm not watching tennis there. Roma is such a classic.

It has been too long since I have been there, Barcelona is indeed a beautiful city. I have colleagues there who invite me regularly too, but I haven't been able to make it for a while. Maybe I'll have to try and get them to invite me sometime when the tournament is on!

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Agree. I’d attended last year and it was quite annoying.

For those that say watching the ball on red clay is difficult, it’s much worse against a backdrop of light green. From fourth row live, as the shadows play out, it’s quite tricky.

In fact, it’s a bit easier to follow on tv.

Yeah it's way too much for my brain. I just sit and feel sorry for players have to play w that and all I think of is how not even things are. Never had a problem seeing the ball on clay. Not even sure what people are talking about.

And what was the Halle builders thinking!? Build a court that makes those kind of shadows. Man it's weird!!

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Edbum and Fed having a fun match. I like the Aussie, he’s bringing some game to Fed.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

It has been too long since I have been there, Barcelona is indeed a beautiful city. I have colleagues there who invite me regularly too, but I haven't been able to make it for a while. Maybe I'll have to try and get them to invite me sometime when the tournament is on!

A very good idea!!! Tennis and Barcelona. That's good times for sure! Also that time the sea starting to get warm those beaches are so beautiful!

 

[Deleted member 756486]

It has been too long since I have been there, Barcelona is indeed a beautiful city. I have colleagues there who invite me regularly too, but I haven't been able to make it for a while. Maybe I'll have to try and get them to invite me sometime when the tournament is on!

I’ve only been to Barcelona once and it was to see Arsenal against Barcelona back in 2011.

Great city. Too bad we got screwed over by the ref in that game lmao.

 

[EloQuent]

I bet Queens gets a stronger field because everyone wants to avoid Fedr.

 

[NatF]

I don't think there is more space there to make it bigger either. In the middle of London.
But on the other hand it's such a classy event you don't really want it to change. Just enjoy the event as it is. It's beautiful around there.

Yeah it's a club - a very nice one at that, no chance of them expanding it and turning it into a masters. I went last year, wish I'd been more tbh, much easier to get into than Wimbledon and it's great there.

To me MC is unreal nice. My absolute fav. The others are hardly comparable.
But also to take into consideration the town and other atttractions where there venue is, Roma maybe the best one.
I love Barcelona a lot. To me that is maybe the greatest big city in the world since it has fantastic beaches and great architecture and food. So for me I'd go Barcelona over most master 1000 and for sure never go Halle because it's boring around there.
Barcelona got the full package for a holiday and tennis.
London is also great of course for Queens and Wimbledon.
I don't like Madrid as a city so much, that's why I'm not watching tennis there. Roma is such a classic.

Only been to Barcelona once (and just for a day/night), I can see the appeal though Barcelona as a tournament doesn't excite me though, it's got a big history but that's it for me.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

Fed said that he was a bit tired today, nothing wrong with him physically as some people have suggested.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Barcelona had a higher level than Halle. Halle is at best a 500. Could even be a 250.

It was a 250 until 2015.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Fed said that he was a bit tired today, nothing wrong with him physically as some people have suggested.

Bit tired is exactly what I've been expecting tbh as a result of all these matches. He's in the semis now and will have beatable opposition, so he can bring this one home. But he'll need a good rest after Sunday.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Yeah.. instead of tanking he does what he did at 13 WTF to avoid Djoko. But wait, he does tanking too - remember that Tommy Roberedo Q4 (or QF??) from USO13? it would have given us elusive Fedal at USO.. but Federer had his own ideas .

How many French Open finals did he play Rafa in? How many clay finals? And you're going to sit there and say he tanked matches to avoid Nadal on hardcourt....

 

[BeatlesFan]

But he'll need a good rest after Sunday.

Fed and Mirka have rented the same house in Wimbledon for at least 12-13 years now and he said in his Swiss presser today that the plan ("If I play the final") is to fly to London on Monday and settle into the familiar house. He'll have a week until Wimbledon begins, he should be fine and ready to go.

 

[AceSalvo]

Even if Halle was M1000, Fed would still end up with 10 titles and trolls would be crying about no competition because the competition would still be at Queens M1000 avoiding the mighty Fed.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Fed and Mirka have rented the same house in Wimbledon for at least 12-13 years now and he said in his Swiss presser today that the plan ("If I play the final") is to fly to London on Monday and settle into the familiar house. He'll have a week until Wimbledon begins, he should be fine and ready to go.

Yes, he's also said that he's made sure to have hardly any media commitments etc in the week before Wimbledon so he can recover.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Should be a Coric Fred final. I expect a Fred beatdown after the tenuous IW matchup.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Should be a Coric Fred final. I expect a Fred beatdown after the tenuous IW matchup.

I still back RBA over Coric on grass.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

 

[EloQuent]

Yes, he's also said that he's made sure to have hardly any media commitments etc in the week before Wimbledon so he can recover.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

What about the (hypothetical) Uniqlo announcement?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Should be a Coric Fred final. I expect a Fred beatdown after the tenuous IW matchup.

The same thought crossed my mind. Fed had a hell of a time beating Coric at IW and he was playing better there than here. I saw that match live and Fed was out of sorts the whole time, shanking a lot of FH's. Had Coric not gotten tight, it would have been a loss for Roger for sure.

 

[Rago]

Yeah.. instead of tanking he does what he did at 13 WTF to avoid Djoko. But wait, he does tanking too - remember that Tommy Roberedo Q4 (or QF??) from USO13? it would have given us elusive Fedal at USO.. but Federer had his own ideas .

How many French Open finals did he play Rafa in? How many clay finals? And you're going to sit there and say he tanked matches to avoid Nadal on hardcourt....

I seriously can't fathom how a middle aged person can keep spewing this much cringeworthy and unfunny garbage on a daily basis.

Hiding in plain sight with that username "ForumMember" doesn't seem to be working out when the avi and post content give it away.

If you are going to troll, do it right. Do it like 90's Clay. Do it like sureshs. Do it like @vive le beau jeu !

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Even if Halle was M1000, Fed would still end up with 10 titles and trolls would be crying about no competition because the competition would still be at Queens M1000 avoiding the mighty Fed.

The thing is that there are way more clay court specialists than grass court specialists. It's not Fed's fault, and it shouldn't diminish his greatness on the surface either.