2019 WTA French Open - General Discussion

[Mark-Touch]

Post-Serena, I just don't see the women's game having dominant stars for a while. It was always a given that a generation of dominant tennis greats would give way to the next generation of dominant tennis greats - From Navratilova-Evert, to Graf-Seles, to Venus-Serena-Henin. And there's always been a defined second tier of greats too, players like Mandlikova, Sanchez-Vicario, Davenport, Capriati.

But, all I see for the near future is what we've been seeing for the past couple of years. .

Yes and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Would you rather see one or two great players or seven, eight, nine or ten+?

 

[Mark-Touch]

Cool. I've really only watched the scores during this French Open; haven't been watching matches, and I've never actually seen her play.

You're in for a real treat!

 

[kishnabe]

New Slam Champion, always nice to see.

Barty might take this.

 

[spystud]

WTA commish weighs in on the court scheduling.

WTA CEO Steve Simon said Thursday the tour was "extremely disappointed" by the French Open's scheduling of the women's semifinals on outside courts, while the men's semis will be on the main Court Philippe Chatrier.

The traditional schedule at Roland Garros was pushed back a day after rain washed out Wednesday's entire schedule. As a result, the remaining quarterfinal matches (two men's and women's matches apiece) were pushed to Thursday, forcing all four semifinal matches to be held Friday. Usually, the women's semifinals are held on Thursday and the men's semis are Friday.

"There's no doubt that scheduling has been challenged by weather conditions and the WTA understands the scheduling issues presented at Roland Garros," Simon said in statement released after Friday's order of play was announced. "We are, however, extremely disappointed by the scheduling of both women's semifinals on outside courts. This decision is unfair and inappropriate.

"The four women who have played so well and made it this far have earned their right to play on the biggest stage. We believe other solutions were possible which would have been to the benefit of fans as well as all players."

Simon didn't elaborate on what those "other solutions" were, while French Open tournament officials did not immediately comment. Tournament director Guy Forget said Wednesday that Roland Garros officials were trying to be fair to all players heading into the quarters, particularly with giving them equal amounts of rest heading into the next round.

"If I was [one of the women] playing in that stage today, I would rather play on a smaller court -- although everyone says that Simonne-Mathieu is a magnificent court -- knowing that I will have enough time to rest, at least the same of my opponent the following day, because the finals is what I'm playing for," Forget, a former professional tennis player, told reporters Wednesday when speaking about Thursday's quarterfinal changes. "You know, you're afraid that some players might feel that it's a lack of respect [by moving one match to a smaller court] or we are just trying to diminish -- no. Ideally, when you see historically what has happened in the tournament, we try to be fair to everyone."

Ashleigh Barty will face Amanda Anisimova on Court Suzaane-Lenglen, while Johanna Konta takes on Marketa Vondrousova on Court Simone-Mathieu - with both matches set to begin at 11 a.m. local time. Court Philippe-Chatrier will host both men's semifinals, starting with the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal clash at 12:50 p.m. local time and following with the match between Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem.

Officials again will likely have to prepare for another uncertain Friday forecast in Paris, which currently calls for chances of rain through early afternoon and winds gaining more steam in the late afternoon, potentially reaching gusts of 30 mph.

 

[elkwood]

Out of the 4 i think Konta is the biggest shocker. I think
it be a great story if she can pull it thru and win the FO.
doubtful but its very doable.

Personally ill be happy with any of the Girls that are left.

So go all !!

 

[elkwood]

WTA commish weighs in on the court scheduling.

Yea but whats he suppose to say..

I love womens tennis but the attendance at this years FO been pretty crappy.
Saw better crowds in Rome this year then i have seen at the FO. Even the Mens side not been all that great.

Heard that they where letting passes go for 20 euros to watch the women's matches tomorrow. Not sure what is up
this year. Love to see a year to year attendance total.

 

[Latetothegame]

Out of the 4 i think Konta is the biggest shocker. I think
it be a great story if she can pull it thru and win the FO.
doubtful but its very doable.

Personally ill be happy with any of the Girls that are left.

So go all !!

Not sure why Konta should be the biggest shocker she has been in a Grand slam semi before, also her clay form coming into RG was pretty good.
But yes it's open to any of them who can grab the moment,

Edited to add, Jo was a late bloomer, to much is made of her not winning a Match at RG before, I think it was the same at Wimbledon, never won a MD match but made the semis

 

[spystud]

I’m pulling for Amanda v. Jo, the kid vs the vet.

 

[Latetothegame]

I’m pulling for Amanda v. Jo, the kid vs the vet.

Well it could be, the two players who completed took out last year's finalist with fab hitting
But who knows, you have in the other two, crafty players
I don't know

 

[The Green Mile]

OMG, look how open that draw is. Barty's winning it all, isn't she?

 

[speedysteve]

Never was a Halep fan so it was very easy for me to take this victory.
I admire Halep's tennis skills and grit but that's about it (certainly not her grunts).

Oh yeah that's another thing.
Imagine another Sharapova-like queen (or better) who doesn't shriek or grunt? YES!!!

I'm not a fan of any of them, or am of all of them, take your pick.. so easy for me to take it as it comes..

I don't like grunt shrieking either esp. if it changes when a player is behind or seemingly wants to intimate with it..

They used to say of Steffi Graf's lesser opponents - if you can last an hour, you did well..
Anisimova was well on track for that kind of beat down, and only went over by 8 mins!
Pulling it together to hold the penultimate game was quite something.
Hope to, and I'm sure we will, see lots more of Amanda..

As for Barty she's definitely getting better, really applying herself.

Will be a good match I think.

 

[CYGS]

Love Anisimova and am a big fan but beating Halep at a slam isn't exactly the biggest upset.

She's been pretty lucky with a great draw, Barty will pose more of a challenge than Halep ever would. As long as Barty can handle the pressure of now being the favorite for the title.

good now we can rule Barty out.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Nike and Babolat are praying Amanda will win. Sales will skyrocket.

Amanda: Nike and Babolat
Ash: Filla and Head
Jo: Elesse and Babolat
Marketa: Nike and Yonex

Lol Adidas.

 

[Mark-Touch]

Amanda: Nike and Babolat
Ash: Filla and Head
Jo: Elesse and Babolat
Marketa: Nike and Yonex

Lol Adidas.

Speaking of sales...
Apart from tennis rackets, have any of you folks ever bought any tennis items (clothes, accessories etc.) simply based
upon the fact that a tennis star uses/endorses them?

I haven't.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Heard that they where letting passes go for 20 euros to watch the women's matches tomorrow. Not sure what is up
this year. Love to see a year to year attendance total.

The main reason I think because the beloved men's semis tix are sold separately. People who bought semis for Ws today could still enjoy the semis with only ground admission. They can't have one of them in Chatrier because weather forecast ain't great and Men's semi couldn't be postpone (They can't afford to refund the tix again).

 

[Mark-Touch]

They used to say of Steffi Graf's lesser opponents - if you can last an hour, you did well..
Anisimova was well on track for that kind of beat down, and only went over by 8 mins!
...

I didn't see the match but still don't quite understand what you mean with the above.
The scoreline (6-2, 6-4) shows Amanda out in front for most of the first set and probably
the second as well.
When was she behind in the match?
And when was she 1 hour and 8 minutes at risk of a beat down? Huh?

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Speaking of sales...
Apart from tennis rackets, have any of you folks ever bought any tennis items (clothes, accessories etc.) simply based
upon the fact that a tennis star uses/endorses them?

I haven't.

No but not because I don't want them but simply because of the price and the dress rarely sold in store (Nike and Adidas) in here and fitting is crucial.

 

[fundrazer]

I'm usually wrong, but Konta feels like the favorite to me. I haven't seen much of her opponent though, I just know she's had solid results lately.

Not drinking the kool-aid on anyone quite yet though, especially Barty. I might be underestimating her, but I still don't really feel like her game is good enough for the best players on their good days. I dunno.

 

[speedysteve]

I didn't see the match but still don't quite understand what you mean with the above.
The scoreline (6-2, 6-4) shows Amanda out in front for most of the first set and probably
the second as well.
When was she behind in the match?
And when was she 1 hour and 8 minutes at risk of a beat down? Huh?

Sorry, I was not clear, it was Amanda who handed out a near Graf like beatdown to Simona..

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

The down side is they play at the same time so can't watch both exclusively.

 

[AM75]

Speaking of sales...
Apart from tennis rackets, have any of you folks ever bought any tennis items (clothes, accessories etc.) simply based
upon the fact that a tennis star uses/endorses them?

I haven't.

Me neither.

 

[Deleted member 293577]

If Vondrousova were to advance, it would be her first time playing on PC, all the other players have have played at least one match there.

 

[Latetothegame]

Me neither.

Not sure what is going on but does Nike run the world in tennis clothing, how can these teens have a contract to wear their stuff unless they are just promoted to wear it, with no indivual input , especially from the top player, Halep my god should have refused to go on court wearing it
It's was seriously unattractive to watch,

 

[Mark-Touch]

The down side is they play at the same time so can't watch both exclusively.

They're also playing at an obscenely early time for me (5:00 am)

 

[Mark-Touch]

Not sure what is going on but does Nike run the world in tennis clothing, how can these teens have a contract to wear their stuff unless they are just promoted to wear it, with no indivual input , especially from the top player, Halep my god should have refused to go on court wearing it
It's was seriously unattractive to watch,

The players couldn't care less. Money talks!
A finalist or winner will get more in endorsements than prize money. And they're cash cows so long as they continue to perform decently.

 

[Latetothegame]

The players couldn't care less. Money talks!
A finalist or winner will get more in endorsements than prize money. And they're cash cows so long as they continue to perform decently.

Oh I don't disagree for certain players and money talks,
But they are not just in it for the money,
It was very noteable at RG, and people complain about the whites at Wimbledon
If they are just a cash cow then they don't care, according to you theory,
So Barty and Konta for the final it is

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Never was a Halep fan so it was very easy for me to take this victory.
I admire Halep's tennis skills and grit but that's about it (certainly not her grunts)...

Yes, Simona has a very athletic style with great footwork and foot speed. And grit/tenacity. But you left out heart. She's got heart for the game and heart for kids and charities.

Even tho she's not been winning quite as many matches (or titles) since Rogers Cup and Cincy last year, she's still winning more than 3/4 of her matches this year. More consistent than most WTA players in the past couple of years.

She's won 78% of slam matches played this year. And a similar % of all matches this year. For comparison, Serena has won 75% of her matches this year. Naomi, even tho she won AO '19, has won 78% of her matches in 2019.

Lot of depth in the WTA in the past few years with no one really dominating very long. NextGen WTA is making their mark. A very different scenario from the ATP.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Same here. I'm a Halep fan too but not much you can do when AA is blasting everything to the corners.
I'd be happy with AA, Konta or Ash winning it all.

Simona keeps a positive attitude after her loss in the QF. Speaks very highly of AA. Had this to say about Amanda and the rest of the semifinalists:

https://www.wtatennis.com/news/simo...en-semifinalists-nothing-surprises-me-anymore

 

[Mark-Touch]

Yes, Simona has a very athletic style with great footwork and foot speed. And grit/tenacity. But you left out heart. She's got heart for the game and heart for kids and charities.

Even tho she's not been winning quite as many matches (or titles) since Rogers Cup and Cincy last year, she's still winning more than 3/4 of her matches this year. More consistent than most WTA players in the past couple of years.

She's won 78% of slam matches played this year. And a similar % of all matches this year. For comparison, Serena has won 75% of her matches this year. Naomi, even tho she won AO '19, has won 78% of her matches in 2019.

Lot of depth in the WTA in the past few years with no one really dominating very long. NextGen WTA is making their mark. A very different scenario from the ATP.

Yes of course Simona has heart for the game and charities. All the respect to her for that!
And of course she has the consistency.
Let me be clear. In any Serena-Halep match I'll be cheering for Halep! No question about it.

It's just that I have many faves above Simona.

 

[TripleATeam]

Well, 4-0 for Barty and Anisimova has won 1 point vs Barty's 17.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

**** yes Ash!!

 

[Badabing888]

If Vondrousova were to advance, it would be her first time playing on PC, all the other players have have played at least one match there.

Ala Nalbandian in 2002 Wimbledon.

 

[NEW_BORN]

Barty's on fire. This match will be over in another 20 mins, tops.

 

[TripleATeam]

Ash only 5 points from the Golden Set. Well done.

 

[helixx]

Kmon Jo!

 

[D-Lite]

Barty needs to close this now; 5-0 to 5-3 is twitchy.

 

[D-Lite]

Konta break again, up 3-2 - needs to start consolidating now. C'mon JoKo!

 

[helixx]

what is happening? it was 5:1

 

[TripleATeam]

5-1 to back on serve. Good stuff from Amanda.

 

[Starfury]

5-1 to back on serve. Good stuff from Amanda.

It was 5-0 and double break (set) point even.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

I’m stressed to the max here

 

[TripleATeam]

It was 5-0 and double break (set) point even.

I thought so, but I wasn't sure. Trying to get some work done while also keeping up with the match.

 

[helixx]

lmao

 

[D-Lite]

6-5 to Amanda. Wow, how is Barty going to regroup?

 

[icedevil0289]

oh wow, i just tuned in and barty was serving for the set 30-30 and now amanda will be serving from teh set. i hope she can keep it together.

 

[TripleATeam]

Did I just see a player win 5 games in a row, then the other player win 6 (possibly 7) games in a row?

 

[D-Lite]

Hoping Barty breaks back now. I think a tiebreak to see who truly deserves this set will be best.

 

[Rogfan]

5-0, 15-40, Barty one point away from a bagel, to 5-6. Bp, take it Ash!

 

[D-Lite]

Konta up 5-3 with Vondrousova to serve - a break now would really help her out (and her fans)!

 

[abmk]

Anisimova on FIRE ! 6 games in a row after a poor start.
6-5. Will serve for the set.