2024 Paris Olympic Games - Women's Tennis Thread (27 July - 4 August)

Who will take home the Olympic Gold?

  • Gauff

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Paolini

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Pegula

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Zheng

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Collins

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other? (post who)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    7
  • Poll closed .

ChrisRF

Legend
I like Iga so much, and she's my favorite female sportsperson in all sports, but unfortunately she's also one of the mentally weakest top competitors I have ever seen, also in any sport.
 

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Stats tell the story:

Swiatek:
12 winners
36 unforced errors

Zheng:
14 winners
13 unforced errors

Full credit to Zheng but just an utterly woeful match by the #1.
 

marc45

G.O.A.T.
incredible effort from Zheng...figured she could trouble Iga with her big game but after seeing her struggle with a retiring Kerber I didn't think she could win

stunningly bad performance from Iga...the worst clay court match I've seen her play since becoming the surface's dominant force....flat and erratic to start, almost scared...she usually handles the nerves well being a huge favorite but not today
 
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Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Suddenly so many posters who weren't even here have come to the thread to criticise Iga.

Pretty pathetic you guys.

Not even celebrating Zheng, just being rude to Swiatek.
 

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Yep, which is why I asked you earlier about it. She looked clearly rattled by Collins.
I think I mentioned it on the thread in the GPPD that Swiatek looked genuinely shocked and caught off guard when Collins said it to her.

Iga isn't charismatic, she's shy, she doesn't want to hurt people, to be targeted the way she was by Danielle was terrible, especially after it was Dani who was the rude one in the match was a surprise.

Anyway, full credit to Zheng for that match.
 

ScottleeSV

Hall of Fame
Hard to know what happened today. Have to wonder at the tactics somewhat, given the UE count. Given Zheng's marathons the previous two days, it was surely the ideal time (from Iga's point of view) to knuckle down and make it a really physical match. She didn't do that at all.

A combination of medal pressure, yesterday's incident, and a complacent tactical approach, probably all contributed. It will take her a while to get over this one.
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
I feel for Iga, yesterday I had this feeling Zheng would be a big trouble for her. Zheng has lost so many meets against Iga, there is very little expectation on her side, it's Iga's match to lose. And just like that, she lost it under pressure. Credit to Zheng for keeping her composure, no rush and no panic!
 

Aussie Darcy

Bionic Poster
Muchova/Noskova save match point and defeat Hsieh/Tsao to make the Doubles SF.

Errani/Paolini easily handle Boulter/Watson 6-3 6-1 to make their SF.

They'll play eachother for a spot in the Gold Medal match.
 

Enceladus

Legend
I think I mentioned it on the thread in the GPPD that Swiatek looked genuinely shocked and caught off guard when Collins said it to her.

Iga isn't charismatic, she's shy, she doesn't want to hurt people, to be targeted the way she was by Danielle was terrible, especially after it was Dani who was the rude one in the match was a surprise.

Anyway, full credit to Zheng for that match.
If that's true, then Collins is a ****ing assh0le! :mad:
 

N01E

Hall of Fame
Iga isn't charismatic, she's shy, she doesn't want to hurt people, to be targeted the way she was by Danielle was terrible, especially after it was Dani who was the rude one in the match was a surprise.

Anyway, full credit to Zheng for that match.
Tell that to her mom. You'd probably consider her 2020 preparation as a danger to humanity as well.

Anyway, she's an obnoxious person, so even as a Pole I can't root for her. Just a shame that Zheng added that extra moonballing near the end. Lot of good, clean hitting, though it wasn't a pretty match.

Iga has the same problem as Djokovic has. Winning an Olympic gold for these countries is quite a big deal so the pressure is enormous.
I think it depends. I know that Hurkacz couldn't care less, but with Iga there's also the case of her father being a former olympian, so maybe some extra pressure from there? She's been hyped to the moon here and 90% of her "fanbase" knows sh*t about tennis. Tennis commentary in Poland is awful (they fired the only good commentator because she was very technical and a woman, so 2 things people here hate), so it's difficult for the audience to learn anything. They took it to the next level here.

As soon as Iga lost they started saying that it's alright, as she can still get the bronze. When the interviewer said that to her she straight up started crying (can't blame her).

Djokovic played his best team tennis in ATP Cup of all places and with him and Iga now it seems more like a schedule issue if anything (sample data is laughably small compared to other events).
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
As soon as Iga lost they started saying that it's alright, as she can still get the bronze. When the interviewer said that to her she straight up started crying (can't blame her).

that's terrible, not only an insult, also put pressure on her to must-win bronze!
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
Zheng's compatriots just won the semi at mixed doubles, now China has a chance to win 2 gold medals in Paris.
 

zvelf

Hall of Fame
hell Sabalenka is way better than Iga. Always has been . She’s just a headcase and can’t keep her nerves on big matches. . Way more talented though
"Way better"? Ridiculous. The way you prove you are the better player is by winning:

Swiatek leads Sabalenka h2h 8-3
Career win percentage: Swiatek 80.9%, Sabalenka 69.9%
Slams won: Swiatek 5, Sabalenka 2
Titles won: Swiatek 22, Sabalenka 14
Time spent at #1: Swiatek 114 weeks, Sabalenka 8 weeks

Remember, Sabalenka is 3 years older and has a head start to achieve more, but it is not remotely close.
 

zvelf

Hall of Fame
Muchova/Noskova save match point and defeat Hsieh/Tsao to make the Doubles SF.
It was an insane 14-12 score in the determining super-tiebreak. I was rooting for Hsieh and I didn't see the match, but I guess her doubles partner, who has never been ranked in the top 400 in singles or the top 100 in doubles couldn't make up for two talented Czechs.

I did place a small parlay on Muchova/Noskova winning and Zheng winning, so that turned into quite a nice payoff.
 

ActualTennisPlayer

Professional
I think it depends. I know that Hurkacz couldn't care less, but with Iga there's also the case of her father being a former olympian, so maybe some extra pressure from there? She's been hyped to the moon here and 90% of her "fanbase" knows sh*t about tennis. Tennis commentary in Poland is awful (they fired the only good commentator because she was very technical and a woman, so 2 things people here hate), so it's difficult for the audience to learn anything. They took it to the next level here.

As soon as Iga lost they started saying that it's alright, as she can still get the bronze. When the interviewer said that to her she straight up started crying (can't blame her).

Djokovic played his best team tennis in ATP Cup of all places and with him and Iga now it seems more like a schedule issue if anything (sample data is laughably small compared to other events).

For Hubi it’s easy to not care - nobody expects him to win an Olympic gold. That’s not the case for Iga and Djokovic.

ATP Cup is also not comparable to the Olympics. Much more Serbs watch the Olympics than ATP cup. For the country one more gold is way more important than winning an ATP cup.

But I agree that scheduling is a bigger issue than pressure.
 

JJGUY

Hall of Fame
It was an insane 14-12 score in the determining super-tiebreak. I was rooting for Hsieh and I didn't see the match, but I guess her doubles partner, who has never been ranked in the top 400 in singles or the top 100 in doubles couldn't make up for two talented Czechs.

I did place a small parlay on Muchova/Noskova winning and Zheng winning, so that turned into quite a nice payoff.
from the pre match odds, for every dollar on Zheng, the return is $8, I would imagine it's a big payout for you.
 

Bill Lobsalot

Hall of Fame
"Way better"? Ridiculous. The way you prove you are the better player is by winning:

Swiatek leads Sabalenka h2h 8-3
Career win percentage: Swiatek 80.9%, Sabalenka 69.9%
Slams won: Swiatek 5, Sabalenka 2
Titles won: Swiatek 22, Sabalenka 14
Time spent at #1: Swiatek 114 weeks, Sabalenka 8 weeks

Remember, Sabalenka is 3 years older and has a head start to achieve more, but it is not remotely close.
Facts. Thanks for being sensible.
 

Bill Lobsalot

Hall of Fame
Strange there wasn't much talk here about the Kostyuk/Vekic match last night. One of the best matches on the ladies' side.
I hope Donna wins today, but fitness wise, she'll have a challenge after a 3 hour match last night.
 

robyrolfo

Hall of Fame
What did Navarro write?
It was a somewhat cryptic and strange comment about Zheng being "cut-throat," behind the scenes. Nothing too bad. People seem to be overreacting.

Quote from a post match interview
...
Danimal is a sore loser after all.
Yes, Collins is a sore loser for sure, and a poor winner as well. I never understand the people that root for her. People also overrate her looks for some reason...

Well, she didn´t punch her in the face. This locker room stuff has no place on the court - and making a scene right after losing the match speaks for itself.
Navarro didn't "make a scene." She gave a quote to the media well after the match. That's not making a scene. And it was probably in response to a specific question, so that is fine.

These matches probably have something like 10X the number of press in attendance, because it is the Olympics and there is so much extra coverage, and cross-over coverage. So there are probably some strange questions and more questions than usual, creating space for stuff like this.

This is my favorite tournament of the season on the WTA side so far, tons of epic three hours matches, lots of passion from the players playing for their country, even some unexpected dramas, what more ?
I would like a full, Grand Slam size draw (128 players). Plus, the limits on players by nationality creates an artificially weak field. The tennis and drama have been there, but it's always been a compromised event in my eyes.

I really wouldn't assume race wasn't involved with Navarro.
Huh? I have no idea what this means. How so?
 

robyrolfo

Hall of Fame
Wow, the wheels really fell off the Iga train. I think this was close to happening several times in the past, but somehow she got out of the situation (by hammering away, or her opponents getting tight).

As others have said, Iga always appears incredibly weak mentally (much like Sabalenka and Rybakina). Yet another reason why they can't be compared to former greats. Was there ever the slightest hint of mental fragility from players like Graf, Navratilova, Seles...?

I get the ball clipped the net, but... Surely she could have produced something better than teeing the ball up for her opponent in response?o_O
So many of these WTA (and some ATP) players are a half step away from being robots. They have certain shots relentlessly drilled into them from a young age, so they hit those standard shots very well. But ask them to improvise, and they are completely lost. And when it comes to volleys, well, let's not even talk about it...

Stop embarrassing yourself. She has 5 slams and has been a phenomenal #1. A bad match doesn't make her overrated. Stop.
I wouldn't say a phenomenal #1 when she lost so meekly at the past USO, AO and Wimby.
 

timmyy

Semi-Pro
I think Zheng is a bit too good for it to be that. She's world no 7 and a recent slam finalist. It's not like it was Galfi of Hungary, stunning the world.

Yeah I agree with what you're saying. Not an upset, but just shocking, as Iga winning RG Part 2 was almost a fait accompli. Almost the operation word there.
 

sortof

Professional
Navarro didn't "make a scene." She gave a quote to the media well after the match. That's not making a scene. And it was probably in response to a specific question, so that is fine.
Come on, that you like Navarro shouldn´t affect your judgement to this extent.
 
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