2023 Roland Garros - Women's Singles

WWW FO 2023?

  • Iga Natalia Świątek

    Votes: 12 44.4%
  • Aryna Siarhiejeŭna Sabalenka

    Votes: 3 11.1%
  • Elena Andreyevna Rybakina

    Votes: 10 37.0%
  • Ons Jabeur

    Votes: 1 3.7%
  • Barbora Krejčíková

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Paula Badosa Gibert

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Jeļena Ostapenko

    Votes: 1 3.7%
  • Maria Sakkari

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Qinwen Zheng

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Others, specify who on the thread for bragging right

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    27
  • Poll closed .

HarveyPitnik

Professional
Yeah, have to admit that Wang is the weak one in this match, even though she was surprisingly good in the SF.

I'm not particularly fan of Leylah nor Taylor but must admit they play strong, convincing doubles. Maybe would have been able to challenge Krejcikova & Siniakova even...
 

HarveyPitnik

Professional
Glad this didn't turn out something like 6-1, 6-0 after all! But I don't believe this will go to third despite the Chinese(!) leading.
 

HarveyPitnik

Professional
Especially Wang played great in the tie-break so to the third we go despite my disbelief in the "Chinese mum and daughter"-pair...
 

D-Lite

Hall of Fame
LFG Taylor. and LAF.

Gauff needs to ditch JPEG if she wanna win a slam in doubles. Krej/Siniakova might be really back at Wim and USO.
Paris 2024 is next year... Gauff/JPeg may well be eyeing that one - not sure if changing partners now would be a good idea. Do you think McCoco were better?
 

HarveyPitnik

Professional
^ In my opinion Coco stronger with Pegula!

Wang and Hsieh now convincingly in the lead (4-1), they have played the latter part of the match as well as in the SF and the level of Leylah & Taylor has dropped, so...
 
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D-Lite

Hall of Fame
Hsieh wins her 5th women's doubles major, and a 1st for Wang Xinyu. This is Hsieh's first RG doubles title since 2014 when she partnered Peng Shuai. Interestingly, Hsieh's women's doubles majors have come on the clay of RG and the grass of Wimbledon (3x a champ there) - she really is a clay/grass doubles specialist!
 

ScottleeSV

Hall of Fame
Hsieh/Wang just got stronger and more resilient as the match went on. Townsend and Fernandez just too many sloppy errors after set one.
 

D-Lite

Hall of Fame
Hsieh/Wang just got stronger and more resilient as the match went on. Townsend and Fernandez just too many sloppy errors after set one.
I think Wang will have a bright future once she plays more big matches. She's seems to be affected by the big occasion but plenty of players have had that early on and then managed to settle. Lots of work to do in singles but this team look promising for the rest of the season. Does anyone know how long they've been playing together? Sometimes it's an advantage if you can gel easily to not be an established team as it's harder tactically to plan to face them especially for the first time.
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
Hsieh should consider move to China, she has a cordial relationship with Chinese tennis association and she is well received there. She is near the end of her career, I am sure many would like to have her in their club.
 

veelium

Hall of Fame
I think Wang will have a bright future once she plays more big matches. She's seems to be affected by the big occasion but plenty of players have had that early on and then managed to settle. Lots of work to do in singles but this team look promising for the rest of the season. Does anyone know how long they've been playing together? Sometimes it's an advantage if you can gel easily to not be an established team as it's harder tactically to plan to face them especially for the first time.
It's their second tournament together as far as I know.

An absolute veteran and all round crafty individual on the court! Hopefully plenty more success for her this year on her return from obscurity.
She was away because of an injury iirc? Not sure how long that took or what it was exactly.
 

D-Lite

Hall of Fame
Just caught highlights of the doubles final, will check for the doubles ceremony later as it always seems to be difficult to find doubles content in good time even after majors. Not tennis related but I appreciated the team outfits - hot pink from Fernandez/Townsend (can we call them FernTown? Fernandend?) and the contrasting orange/purple Adidas outfits from Wang and Hsieh.
The highlights at least are very enjoyable - the reflexes and changes in momentum in doubles even within a single point is so impressive and so entertained to watch - moreso than a lot of singles matches at this level.
 

tennis4me

Hall of Fame
Waking up finding the opposite result of my prediction of a total domination on 2nd set by Fernandez/Townsend. That's why I don't gamble. :p

Saw Hsieh was very supportive during Wang's initial UEs and DF. Great turnaround.
 

BenC

Hall of Fame
LAF in tears after the match, Townsend giving her a good pep talk afterward. Crazy turnaround, Townsend in particular looked unstoppable at times.
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
LAF in tears after the match, Townsend giving her a good pep talk afterward. Crazy turnaround, Townsend in particular looked unstoppable at times.

yeah, I saw that too. She sure cried a lot after losing a match, it's ok to be emotional but I do think she needs to grow up, this is grand slam, not kindergarten game, you are in your 20s and your opponent is 37, so behave like an adult, even when you get emotional, control yourself, sometimes players cry after a big win, we have seen that, but after losing? That looks childish, we rarely see that not even in Jr. matches.
 

ScottleeSV

Hall of Fame
yeah, I saw that too. She sure cried a lot after losing a match, it's ok to be emotional but I do think she needs to grow up, this is grand slam, not kindergarten game, you are in your 20s and your opponent is 37, so behave like an adult, even when you get emotional, control yourself, sometimes players cry after a big win, we have seen that, but after losing? That looks childish, we rarely see that not even in Jr. matches.

A bit harsh. It only looked like a few tears, and come the trophy ceremony she was fine. She's had a massive comedown over the last 18 months, and she probably really wanted this one. Easy to understand the disappointment. I like to see emotions from players, sad and happy. Shows they care and that it's not just about the money.
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
A bit harsh. It only looked like a few tears, and come the trophy ceremony she was fine. She's had a massive comedown over the last 18 months, and she probably really wanted this one. Easy to understand the disappointment. I like to see emotions from players, sad and happy. Shows they care and that it's not just about the money.

I don't, that's why I feel no sympathy towards her, just childish display, what's next? Should Hsieh bring some candy to cheer her up, or next time when they play against her, they will have to take her losing tears into consideration, she might cry again if we beat her...

her previous tears, 1:38:39, she has not grown up at all

 
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ScottleeSV

Hall of Fame
She was cringeworthy at the end of the Raducanu match (with both her moaning and the OTT speech). I'll give you that one.

I don't think yesterday was anywhere near that league though.
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
She was cringeworthy at the end of the Raducanu match (with both her moaning and the OTT speech). I'll give you that one.

I don't think yesterday was anywhere near that league though.

I am on the opposite, I actually gave her a pass on USO, since it's her first time and she also felt that MTO was wrong, which was not. She was resentful but she was young and the first time, she would learn and grow up, but apparently she has not learned anything! Of course there was no drama in yesterday's match, but it doesn't really matter the tears were about herself or her opponents, disappointment or angry, be gracious on court! If you want to cry, cry in the locker room like everyone else, like Serena did when Sharapova beat her in 2004 Wimbledon.

If you ask me, I blame her parents, her behavior is the typical kids crying when they don't get what they want, proper parenting would correct that and most kids would soon grow out of that phase, apprenty she did not.
 

robyrolfo

Hall of Fame
lulw yes it would
It wouldn't look like two entirely different sports. Andy you might be surprised what some running and fitness could do. But what is your point? Saying it would be a blowout only further supports my argument.

Dude WTF are you talking about. An NBA team would kill an NCAA team. You know nothing.
Cool story, bro. See above. I'm not sure what you guys think goes on in college and the NBA. Because a few guys in their 30's (even late 30's) will be more mature, and possibly stronger (although that depends), but the college kids will generally run circles around them in terms of fitness. Point is, it will look like a pretty normal game where one team is better than the other. It won't look like a completely joke or non-competition, like if you had a men's soccer/football team play a women's team.

yeah, I saw that too. She sure cried a lot after losing a match, it's ok to be emotional but I do think she needs to grow up, this is grand slam, not kindergarten game, you are in your 20s and your opponent is 37, so behave like an adult, even when you get emotional, control yourself, sometimes players cry after a big win, we have seen that, but after losing? That looks childish, we rarely see that not even in Jr. matches.
Ha, what? Are you new to tennis? Players cry after matches all the time. Gauff comes to mind after losing to Osaka, but that's just one of many. Heck, Muchova was crying yesterday. And what about the men? Did you forget Djokovic crying hysterically at the US Open when Medvedev was spanking him? And I'm pretty sure Ruud cried a little bit yesterday as well. Seriously, it happens a lot..

I am on the opposite, I actually gave her a pass on USO, since it's her first time and she also felt that MTO was wrong, which was not.
Hold on, you want to play the tough guy when it comes to players crying, but you are OK with a relatively long MTO for a tiny cut that could have simply been wiped away with a sock or wristband?
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
It wouldn't look like two entirely different sports. Andy you might be surprised what some running and fitness could do. But what is your point? Saying it would be a blowout only further supports my argument.


Cool story, bro. See above. I'm not sure what you guys think goes on in college and the NBA. Because a few guys in their 30's (even late 30's) will be more mature, and possibly stronger (although that depends), but the college kids will generally run circles around them in terms of fitness. Point is, it will look like a pretty normal game where one team is better than the other. It won't look like a completely joke or non-competition, like if you had a men's soccer/football team play a women's team.


Ha, what? Are you new to tennis? Players cry after matches all the time. Gauff comes to mind after losing to Osaka, but that's just one of many. Heck, Muchova was crying yesterday. And what about the men? Did you forget Djokovic crying hysterically at the US Open when Medvedev was spanking him? And I'm pretty sure Ruud cried a little bit yesterday as well. Seriously, it happens a lot..


Hold on, you want to play the tough guy when it comes to players crying, but you are OK with a relatively long MTO for a tiny cut that could have simply been wiped away with a sock or wristband?
Not a cool story bro. The college kids would be destroyed. You really have no clue.
 
It wouldn't look like two entirely different sports. Andy you might be surprised what some running and fitness could do. But what is your point? Saying it would be a blowout only further supports my argument.

Cool story, bro. See above. I'm not sure what you guys think goes on in college and the NBA. Because a few guys in their 30's (even late 30's) will be more mature, and possibly stronger (although that depends), but the college kids will generally run circles around them in terms of fitness. Point is, it will look like a pretty normal game where one team is better than the other. It won't look like a completely joke or non-competition, like if you had a men's soccer/football team play a women's team.
It would look like a complete joke of a competition, highschoolers clowning on middle schoolers type stuff. I don't think you quite grasp the skill difference between an average NCAA roster and an average NBA roster. I am not sure why you keep insisting on handwaving away being wrong about this rather than acknowledging it if, as you say, you think it further supports your argument.
 

BenC

Hall of Fame
Another Hsieh Su-wei anecdote - she breaks a string at 5-5 15-all vs Schuurs/Krawczyk, needs a few moments to realize what happened, and tries to get it sent for stringing asap. From the discussion with the chair ump she only has 1 spare racquet on court and another in her locker, so if she broke the spare ... lol.
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
Another Hsieh Su-wei anecdote - she breaks a string at 5-5 15-all vs Schuurs/Krawczyk, needs a few moments to realize what happened, and tries to get it sent for stringing asap. From the discussion with the chair ump she only has 1 spare racquet on court and another in her locker, so if she broke the spare ... lol.
What? Does she not have a racket sponsor either? The poor girl really needs to get away from her dad. After the doubles win, some fans in China argued their domestic sportswear labels should sign Hsieh since she still has no official clothing sponsors. With her success at doubles, there is really no reason Chan sisters have Nike while Hsieh has nothing, and she has much better results than Chan sisters.
 

robyrolfo

Hall of Fame
Not a cool story bro. The college kids would be destroyed. You really have no clue.
You keep using the fairly vague term, "destroyed," without going into greater detail? Can you? Can you use your words? Are you capable of clearly expressing your ideas?

It would look like a complete joke of a competition, highschoolers clowning on middle schoolers type stuff. I don't think you quite grasp the skill difference between an average NCAA roster and an average NBA roster. I am not sure why you keep insisting on handwaving away being wrong about this rather than acknowledging it if, as you say, you think it further supports your argument.
Now this is a little better, but not much. Do you guys even watch basketball? What is it that you think will go on, exactly? Do you think the NBA guys are that much bigger? Because they aren't that much faster, and they certainly don't seem as fit. Have you seen how some of these NBA guys play? Kevin Durant is 2 years younger than Novak, but he looks about 15 years older. Sure, he may post up on some college kid with ease, but that kid is going to beat him down the court every single time, along with the rest of his team...

Yeah, the bigger the gap the better it is for my argument, but that still doesn't mean it will be night and day. Back to that argument: do you accept that the only reason college sports does so well is because of all the extra attention generated by the college aspect, which is unique in amateur sports?
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
You keep using the fairly vague term, "destroyed," without going into greater detail? Can you? Can you use your words? Are you capable of clearly expressing your ideas?


Now this is a little better, but not much. Do you guys even watch basketball? What is it that you think will go on, exactly? Do you think the NBA guys are that much bigger? Because they aren't that much faster, and they certainly don't seem as fit. Have you seen how some of these NBA guys play? Kevin Durant is 2 years younger than Novak, but he looks about 15 years older. Sure, he may post up on some college kid with ease, but that kid is going to beat him down the court every single time, along with the rest of his team...

Yeah, the bigger the gap the better it is for my argument, but that still doesn't mean it will be night and day. Back to that argument: do you accept that the only reason college sports does so well is because of all the extra attention generated by the college aspect, which is unique in amateur sports?
Look man do you understand what an NBA team is? Every year they draft 60 guys from college. There are 25,000 college players. They pick the very best and even many of those dont end up starters or successful. An average NBA team would decimate any college team. Most of any college team will never get in the NBA let alone be a good player there. You dont know what you are talking about.

And I am not even talking about the high level guys they get from Europe.
 

robyrolfo

Hall of Fame
Look man do you understand what an NBA team is? Every year they draft 60 guys from college. There are 25,000 college players. They pick the very best and even many of those dont end up starters or successful. An average NBA team would decimate any college team. Most of any college team will never get in the NBA let alone be a good player there. You dont know what you are talking about.

And I am not even talking about the high level guys they get from Europe.
Ok, so still pretty vague, but anyway... Do you understand anything about sports? Do you really think the better team on paper always wins? Do you not understand the value of tactics? Obviously the NBA player pool is superior, and they draft the best college players, but those guys aren't on a different planet while in college. They can't simply score at will. They don't automatically rack up triple doubles or huge stats in every single game. There is absolutely a gap, but it's not like two different sports, the way you make it out to be. Especially if you consider that some of these college teams seem way more fit and disciplined than some pro teams. And do you think the college teams would play to the NBA team's strengths? Or would they try to play to their own strengths? The way you talk, you would think tennis players NEVER lose to guys that have an inferior ranking. Early rounds of slams should regularly feature 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 score lines and whatnot...
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
Ok, so still pretty vague, but anyway... Do you understand anything about sports? Do you really think the better team on paper always wins? Do you not understand the value of tactics? Obviously the NBA player pool is superior, and they draft the best college players, but those guys aren't on a different planet while in college. They can't simply score at will. They don't automatically rack up triple doubles or huge stats in every single game. There is absolutely a gap, but it's not like two different sports, the way you make it out to be. Especially if you consider that some of these college teams seem way more fit and disciplined than some pro teams. And do you think the college teams would play to the NBA team's strengths? Or would they try to play to their own strengths? The way you talk, you would think tennis players NEVER lose to guys that have an inferior ranking. Early rounds of slams should regularly feature 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 score lines and whatnot...
Dude. Its like putting a middle school club against a high school club. I dont care what tactics you have. What dont you understand? You obviously dont watch either the NBA or college basketball. The gap is huge. Ok enough your obviously just trolling and not serious.
 
Ok, so still pretty vague, but anyway... Do you understand anything about sports? Do you really think the better team on paper always wins? Do you not understand the value of tactics? Obviously the NBA player pool is superior, and they draft the best college players, but those guys aren't on a different planet while in college. They can't simply score at will. They don't automatically rack up triple doubles or huge stats in every single game. There is absolutely a gap, but it's not like two different sports, the way you make it out to be. Especially if you consider that some of these college teams seem way more fit and disciplined than some pro teams. And do you think the college teams would play to the NBA team's strengths? Or would they try to play to their own strengths? The way you talk, you would think tennis players NEVER lose to guys that have an inferior ranking. Early rounds of slams should regularly feature 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 score lines and whatnot...
ATP elite to ATP top 128 is a far smaller gap than low NBA playoff seed to NCAA tournament bubble team. You keep bringing up Kevin Durant being old and unable to run with college players, which is a) probably not true, b) irrelevant because 27 or whatever year old still 100% in his physical prime Devin Booker + 3 others will be on the court at the same time, c) does not properly weigh effect of KD being able to easily beat the man tasked with defending him for a great look at the basket literally every time he touches the ball on offense.

Back to that argument: do you accept that the only reason college sports does so well is because of all the extra attention generated by the college aspect, which is unique in amateur sports?
Yes you are absolutely correct about this. If the college names were replaced with random boring sports organization names no one would care. Genuine emotional connection with the branding is essential for driving spectator engagement with athletic competition.
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
ATP elite to ATP top 128 is a far smaller gap than low NBA playoff seed to NCAA tournament bubble team. You keep bringing up Kevin Durant being old and unable to run with college players, which is a) probably not true, b) irrelevant because 27 or whatever year old still 100% in his physical prime Devin Booker + 3 others will be on the court at the same time, c) does not properly weigh effect of KD being able to easily beat the man tasked with defending him for a great look at the basket literally every time he touches the ball on offense.


Yes you are absolutely correct about this. If the college names were replaced with random boring sports organization names no one would care. Genuine emotional connection with the branding is essential for driving spectator engagement with athletic competition.
Of course that's correct. That goes with any athletic competition. Its why a 4 division English soccer club can be successful. Its not the best players in the world. Its not even close. But they form a bond with their community/ area and people support them. The supporters know, they are not watching the best players. Thats not the point. When it comes to lower level team sports they still are great at having competitive games, and forming bonds within that community. In fact many people who love college sports or lower level soccer teams like them more than the big pro sports leagues. They have a bond with them. The level of play? Thats secondary. As long as the games being played are competitive, and fun.

Some people have brought up the NCAA women's basketball tournament this year. Apparently the drama surrounding that final made it have a higher rating than the NBA final this year. What does that tell us as " sports" fans? Well, its obviously not always about the " quality" of play.
 

robyrolfo

Hall of Fame
ATP elite to ATP top 128 is a far smaller gap than low NBA playoff seed to NCAA tournament bubble team. You keep bringing up Kevin Durant being old and unable to run with college players, which is a) probably not true, b) irrelevant because 27 or whatever year old still 100% in his physical prime Devin Booker + 3 others will be on the court at the same time, c) does not properly weigh effect of KD being able to easily beat the man tasked with defending him for a great look at the basket literally every time he touches the ball on offense.


Yes you are absolutely correct about this. If the college names were replaced with random boring sports organization names no one would care. Genuine emotional connection with the branding is essential for driving spectator engagement with athletic competition.

Of course that's correct. That goes with any athletic competition. Its why a 4 division English soccer club can be successful. Its not the best players in the world. Its not even close. But they form a bond with their community/ area and people support them. The supporters know, they are not watching the best players. Thats not the point. When it comes to lower level team sports they still are great at having competitive games, and forming bonds within that community. In fact many people who love college sports or lower level soccer teams like them more than the big pro sports leagues. They have a bond with them. The level of play? Thats secondary. As long as the games being played are competitive, and fun.

Some people have brought up the NCAA women's basketball tournament this year. Apparently the drama surrounding that final made it have a higher rating than the NBA final this year. What does that tell us as " sports" fans? Well, its obviously not always about the " quality" of play.
Ok, we will probably never agree on the NBA stuff (Kevin Durant is a 34 year old 6'10" guy, he's not running all night with a college kid), and I doubt we will ever know the real answer...

But we all seem to agree that the drama surrounding, and connection people feel for, college teams is what elevates the interest (and thus revenue) beyond any other amateur sports of a similar level. So how does this bring us back to women's tennis?

Look, I like women's tennis. I watch it just as much as, if not even slightly more than, the mens side. But apparently some people aren't impressed by the level. That's not an issue for me, because I've never played tennis at a high level and don't really "see" that, but I sort of understand it because watching women's soccer is painful for me (as I can see how low the level is). Even all of this seems secondary, though, as the discussion above tells us that drama/characters/connections are what can truly drive interest.

And that's what I think the real issue is at the moment. The players currently at the top of the women's game aren't that compelling. Swiatek seems very nice, and her tennis game is nice to watch, but her personality (or lack thereof) can be a bit of a limiting factor. Barty was also similar in my opinion (a fine player, but not super interesting). Then you have a Sabalenka and Rybakina, both with "troubling" passports (and yes, I know Rybakina plays for Kazakstan, but whatever), and both somewhat hard to access off the court. I actually think Sabalenka is a pretty compelling watch, with her drama and huge hitting, but it's hardly must see TV.

These things come and go in cycles, though. When Seffi Graf was at her peak, she obviously generated a lot of attention. Ditto Serena (and Venus + Serena). Even Osaka seemed to be drawing a lot of attention to the women's game (whether you like her personality or not, she was compelling).

Anyway, all of this is just to say that, in my opinion, things like match scheduling aren't the issue right now. Heck, if you put a women's match in the showcase night spot, and it's a stinker, you could do more harm than good. Everyone needs to just relax and stop forcing the issue. Someone will emerge that will bring the women's game back up to the level of the men again (in terms of popularity). And dominance has an appeal all it's own; if Swiatek keeps racking up slams and the number gets high enough, she will become a draw no matter what.
 
Ok, we will probably never agree on the NBA stuff (Kevin Durant is a 34 year old 6'10" guy, he's not running all night with a college kid), and I doubt we will ever know the real answer...
Kevin Durant is one (1) of the five players on his team. If the college kids try to run him ragged they'll be dribbling at pace (i.e. not protecting the ball well) against Devin Booker and three other NBA caliber defenders in their actual physical primes. There is absolutely no question about what would happen here unless we are getting into the specifics of just how badly they would be made to look like they belong on the same court.

But we all seem to agree that the drama surrounding, and connection people feel for, college teams is what elevates the interest (and thus revenue) beyond any other amateur sports of a similar level. So how does this bring us back to women's tennis?

Look, I like women's tennis. I watch it just as much as, if not even slightly more than, the mens side. But apparently some people aren't impressed by the level. That's not an issue for me, because I've never played tennis at a high level and don't really "see" that, but I sort of understand it because watching women's soccer is painful for me (as I can see how low the level is). Even all of this seems secondary, though, as the discussion above tells us that drama/characters/connections are what can truly drive interest.

And that's what I think the real issue is at the moment. The players currently at the top of the women's game aren't that compelling. Swiatek seems very nice, and her tennis game is nice to watch, but her personality (or lack thereof) can be a bit of a limiting factor. Barty was also similar in my opinion (a fine player, but not super interesting). Then you have a Sabalenka and Rybakina, both with "troubling" passports (and yes, I know Rybakina plays for Kazakstan, but whatever), and both somewhat hard to access off the court. I actually think Sabalenka is a pretty compelling watch, with her drama and huge hitting, but it's hardly must see TV.

These things come and go in cycles, though. When Seffi Graf was at her peak, she obviously generated a lot of attention. Ditto Serena (and Venus + Serena). Even Osaka seemed to be drawing a lot of attention to the women's game (whether you like her personality or not, she was compelling).

Anyway, all of this is just to say that, in my opinion, things like match scheduling aren't the issue right now. Heck, if you put a women's match in the showcase night spot, and it's a stinker, you could do more harm than good. Everyone needs to just relax and stop forcing the issue. Someone will emerge that will bring the women's game back up to the level of the men again (in terms of popularity). And dominance has an appeal all it's own; if Swiatek keeps racking up slams and the number gets high enough, she will become a draw no matter what.
Yeah I agree with this. Tennis is one of the few games where the women playing it do not feel noticeably worse than the men. You can tell they're not at good but they still have that high level feel to how they hit that isn't there with soccer or basketball, so the lack of interesting personalities, maybe also the lack of enduring personalities in terms of major winners sticking for an extended period of time (+the BO3 that robs it of the gravity it deserves are really the biggest issues.
 

robyrolfo

Hall of Fame
Kevin Durant is one (1) of the five players on his team. If the college kids try to run him ragged they'll be dribbling at pace (i.e. not protecting the ball well) against Devin Booker and three other NBA caliber defenders in their actual physical primes. There is absolutely no question about what would happen here unless we are getting into the specifics of just how badly they would be made to look like they belong on the same court.


Yeah I agree with this. Tennis is one of the few games where the women playing it do not feel noticeably worse than the men. You can tell they're not at good but they still have that high level feel to how they hit that isn't there with soccer or basketball, so the lack of interesting personalities, maybe also the lack of enduring personalities in terms of major winners sticking for an extended period of time (+the BO3 that robs it of the gravity it deserves are really the biggest issues.
Last thing on the basketball: guys can pass the ball! I know that somehow a lot of basketball players don't seem to fully grasp the concept, but it is possible. Just ask Steve Nash.

As for the tennis, yes, we are pretty much in total agreement. The big 3 cast such a big shadow that only Serena seemed to be capable of finding a bit of daylight, and there hasn't been a clear star to emerge since then. Osaka seemed to have potential, but we all know how she went off the rails. And despite the media seeming desperate to make Gauff the next big thing, she simply isn't that good. Now I'm skeptical that a somewhat shy Polish girl with a quirky personality will be the one to do it. Heck, Sofia Kenin is AMERICAN, and nobody even noticed she won a grand slam, because she isn't particularly marketable.
 
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