2025 Australian Open - General Discussion for Men's Singles

[chjtennis]

Not me, sorry.

More similar to Djokovic:
- not using a 1HBH (essential in terms of form/aestetics)
- not enough at net to paint a similar game
- upper body OK, lower body without the perfect shape of Federer's; I see weaknesses there which will not take him to 20 GSs

Future great, I agree, but him liking Fed doesn't make him similar to Fed.

His approach is quite different from Djokovic. Djokovic tends to stay at the back way more. Fonseca always looks to kill it with a winner like Federer used to. Federer used to breeze past through early rounds quickly like no one else, it was common for him to end matches within 2 hours in the early rounds of slams. Fonseca is an aggressive attacking player like Roger and doesn't stay at the back of the court until 10th shot during rallies. No 2 players are exactly the same, even Fed and Dimi are very different, and Fonseca is not exactly the same as either Federer or Djokovic. However, the way he approaches and constructs each point is closer to Federer than Djokovic. Fonseca puts way more power on ground strokes than both Federer and Djokovic, so there's already a significant difference, but if Federer played with 2-handed backhand like he preferred, the similarities might have seemed more obvious. But no 2 players can be exactly the same. Even though Wawrinka plays 1-handed BH, he doesn't quite play like Federer. He plays longer rallies.

 

[Aabye5]

Opelka with the break

 

[Aabye5]

His approach is quite different from Djokovic. Djokovic tends to stay at the back way more. Fonseca always looks to kill it with a winner like Federer used to. Federer used to breeze past through early rounds quickly like no one else, it was common for him to end matches within 2 hours in the early rounds of slams. Fonseca is an aggressive attacking player like Roger and doesn't stay at the back of the court until 10th shot during rallies. No 2 players are exactly the same, even Fed and Dimi are very different, and Fonseca is not exactly the same as either Federer or Djokovic. However, the way he approaches and constructs each point is closer to Federer than Djokovic. Fonseca puts way more power on ground strokes than both Federer and Djokovic, so there's already a significant difference, but if Federer played with 2-handed backhand like he preferred, the similarities might have seemed more obvious. But no 2 players can be exactly the same. Even though Wawrinka plays 1-handed BH, he doesn't quite play like Federer. He plays longer rallies.

@Daniel Andrade mentioned Thiem, best comparison so far

 

[chjtennis]

@Daniel Andrade mentioned Thiem, best comparison so far

Again, Thiem stays at the back of the court way more. And There's that easy power Fonseca generates, unlike Thiem's more elaborated power. I don't see too many similarities between Thiem and Fonseca to be honest. Thiem was a heavy handed grinder. Fonseca is way more creative.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Again, Thiem stays at the back of the court way more. And There's that easy power Fonseca generates, unlike Thiem's more elaborated power. I don't see too many similarities between Thiem and Fonseca to be honest. Thiem was a heavy handed grinder. Fonseca is way more creative.

Djokovic said fonseca reminds him of himself.

Yes Fonseca is far too aggressive but vs players who have till now allowed him to play as aggressive. His career is just started and we have not seen him play top competition a lot.

 

[Aabye5]

Mr Magic cannot match Zeus

 

[nolefam_2024]

Mr Magic cannot match Zeus

I am feeling positive of Djokovic's chances in R3 whoever wins this one.

 

[Aabye5]

Djokovic said fonseca reminds him of himself.

Yes Fonseca is far too aggressive but vs players who have till now allowed him to play as aggressive. His career is just started and we have not seen him play top competition a lot.

Nole also said the same thing of Alcaraz:

Novak Djokovic on Carlos Alcaraz: 'I see a lot of similarities between us' | ATP Tour | Tennis

Novak Djokovic praises Carlos Alcaraz ahead of their final meeting at Wimbledon.

www.atptour.com

But Fonseca and Alcaraz don't play alike. And I'd say Sinner plays more like him than either of those two.

 

[RSJfan]

What was gulbis' age at that

I think he turned 19 during the tournament. I was at the match and as a result also fell under his spell for a while. Of course, this was pre-Golden Eagle Gulbis.

 

[RSJfan]

Smiley botting to win an easy first set.

#smileyBot

 

[Aabye5]

Again, Thiem stays at the back of the court way more. And There's that easy power Fonseca generates, unlike Thiem's more elaborated power. I don't see too many similarities between Thiem and Fonseca to be honest. Thiem was a heavy handed grinder. Fonseca is way more creative.

We can agree to disagree, but this seems to be splitting hairs. When people say Sinner and Berdych play alike it's clear what they mean, but Berdych relied more on his serve, Sinner more on his groundstrokes.

Thiem started way back behind the baseline on the return, but he was far more comfortable closing in than a Zverev or Medvedev for example.

 

[chjtennis]

Djokovic said fonseca reminds him of himself.

Yes Fonseca is far too aggressive but vs players who have till now allowed him to play as aggressive. His career is just started and we have not seen him play top competition a lot.

I've seen it and I think that was kind of a joke. Typical Nole style. But he is not exactly like anyone, and it's not really important who is plays like. I just saw a bit of Roger's influence in the way he played. But who really cares? Rublev is no push over and Fonseca made him look very much second best today. That's something as a teenage debutant to a slam.

Just seen his post match conference. He did say he's tried to play like Roger at one stage and even tried one handed BH once lol.

 

[chjtennis]

We can agree to disagree, but this seems to be splitting hairs. When people say Sinner and Berdych play alike it's clear what they mean, but Berdych relied more on his serve, Sinner more on his groundstrokes.

Thiem started way back behind the baseline on the return, but he was far more comfortable closing in than a Zverev or Medvedev for example.

Yes, but it was normal for him to have 10+ shot rallies. However, it's like splitting hairs like you've said.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I've seen it and I think that was kind of a joke. Typical Nole style. But he is not exactly like anyone, and it's not really important who is plays like. I just saw a bit of Roger's influence in the way he played. But who really cares? Rublev is no push over and Fonseca made him look very much second best today. That's something as a teenage debutant to a slam.

Just seen his post match conference. He did say he tried to play like Roger at one stage and even tried one handed BH once lol.

Fonseca mentality is just like that of champions. Very humble.

This was such a good interaction honestly. Fonseca speaking less but making far more impact than Mensik/Michelson.

 

[celito]

All the overhype for Fonseca is too much. My goodness, let the boy grow into his own. He’s barely been on tour and we are already hearing New Big 3 and saw comments that he will be Top 10 by year end. He’s won one Challenger and NextGen (essentially an exho), so I think we need to slow down on him until he wins his first ATP title. Beating Rublev in his first slam MD is a good defeat but many of us know how vulnerable Rublev has been. Still, I think he can go a little bit further here. Not a terrible draw from here.

Part of the fun of being a sports fan is to make predictions and set high expectations. No harm.

 

[McGradey]

Fonseca and Alcaraz are natural shotmakers who are always looking for ways to end the point quickly and on their terms — clean winner, drop shot, put away volley. This is where the Fed comparisons stem from. He was very much the same.

But with their two-handers they can also be very adept at working the point with a more patient style which is more like classic Djokovic. Carlos much less so, but Sinner is increasingly like this. He has added incredible shot tolerance and defence which were the hallmarks of Djokovic in his pomp.

All three youngins may be influenced by one or more of the big 3 but they will never be carbon copies. Sinner and Djokovic may end up being the most similar I think. Alcaraz is his own thing and Fonseca is also highly aggressive but in a different way to Federer. None of them play much like Nadal, which is expected because none of them possess a 3500 rpm lefty forehand.

I know it's very early to be putting Fons in the same bucket as the far more accomplished Sinner and Alcaraz, but given that he is getting some runs on the board with a next gen finals win and now a pretty dominant top 10 win at a slam, it doesn't seem outrageous to include him in this conversation. Some guys just have 'it' and he would appear to be one of them.

 

[Down_the_line]

Stuck between the Canucks game and the AO. Relying on y'all for updates!

 

[EddieChang]

Nole also said the same thing of Alcaraz:

Novak Djokovic on Carlos Alcaraz: 'I see a lot of similarities between us' | ATP Tour | Tennis

Novak Djokovic praises Carlos Alcaraz ahead of their final meeting at Wimbledon.

www.atptour.com

But Fonseca and Alcaraz don't play alike. And I'd say Sinner plays more like him than either of those two.

Why is he not like Alcaraz? I have only watched him in 2 hl. His explosive forehand and backhand look similar to Alcaraz especially the backhand

 

[Larry Duff]

I'm sad that Fonseca is not American, because we really need a player like that here. A Brazilian player doesn't have as much interest.

To be fair America does have the greatest golfer in the world. He moves back into DC soon.

 

[nolefam_2024]

How great is Opelka movement wow

 

[nolefam_2024]

Only 16 times in his career Opelka has hit 30+ aces. Only 6 times 40+.
Lets see. Currently already at 21 and we are in set 2.

 

[nolefam_2024]

And after typing this not a single ace but 4 df. Opelka is feeling something in his back probably.

 

[Aabye5]

Why is he not like Alcaraz? I have only watched him in 2 hl. His explosive forehand and backhand look similar to Alcaraz especially the backhand

Maybe we're just keying in on two different aspects of their game.

For me, what sets Alcaraz apart at a broad level is his incredible movement and whippy forehand, with his serve setting it up.

Fonseca seems to use his forehand more like a battering ram (which along with the serve is what reminds me of Thiem) with a long wind up. He uses a slice to compensate for more limited movement compared to both Alcaraz and Thiem.

 

[McGradey]

Nishioka annihilated in set 1.
Will Alcaraz get bored and start wandering mentally now or can he maintain focus

 

[jarko111]

They need to get a stylist out to court 1573. Someone needs to tell these players you need to get it together and look appropriate out here.
Opelka out here looking like a Yeti. Venus, you tell your man to groom himself and that beard.
Will someone tell that Machac this is not a swim meet. You need to put on some shorts over your speedo.
Goodness me. What is going on. This is not tennis appropriate.

 

[Down_the_line]

Lmao Carlos looks so bored. Another break in the 2nd set.

 

[Winner Sinner]

Question;

Will Nishioka win a single game against Alcaraz?
At the moment we are 6-0 2-0, in the first set the Japanese managed to score only 4 points.
Humiliation Djokovic-Mannarino 2024 style but to the nth degree.

Opelka vs Machac is not a normal second round match in a major.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Alcaraz is on fire

 

[Down_the_line]

Woo! Nishioka on the board. 3-1 Carlos in the 2nd.

 

[Down_the_line]

Another break for Alcaraz and he'll serve for the set. Just way too good.

 

[Down_the_line]

Looked like Carlos was going to break again to open the 3rd set but Nishioka hangs on.

 

[objection_]

Djokovic said fonseca reminds him of himself.

Yes Fonseca is far too aggressive but vs players who have till now allowed him to play as aggressive. His career is just started and we have not seen him play top competition a lot.

Reminds me more of 2008/2023 nole in terms of being aggressive

 

[Down_the_line]

Nishioka starting to keep up better with Alcaraz in the rallies. Comfortable hold for him to go up 2-1.

 

[junior74]

David vs. Goliath

1 match vs. 430

 

[nighthawkrr]

Question;

Will Nishioka win a single game against Alcaraz?
At the moment we are 6-0 2-0, in the first set the Japanese managed to score only 4 points.
Humiliation Djokovic-Mannarino 2024 style but to the nth degree.

Opelka vs Machac is not a normal second round match in a major.

Unless it's Ruud of course. Pro tip if you have an early match and can see Ruud at a slam. Definitely go. I got a 5 setter out of it last year and finished with a Zverev match that went so long the trains stopped running at the Open.

 

[fedfan24]

Number 1 player is from Norway. After that they are nowhere.

India won the chess olympiad beating usa and also the classical world champion is from here

USA has 2 of the top 5 players Hikaru and Fabi (Hikaru being clear number 2). India has Gukesh and Erigasi making up the top 5 but has 0 players in the rapid or blitz top 10 which is more pure chess.

 

[NYTennisfan]

Carlos looks refreshed after a rough close to 2024. This AO is gonna be a bloodbath with the top guys playing high level.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Opelka had 21 aces and just 4 doubles before second set tb.


Since then 9 aces and 6 doubles. Even without serve firing like before , he stretched this to five. But now I don't see him winning.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Alcaraz flattened Nishioka today. I don't see him being stopped without very spectacular performance here.

 

[messiahrobins]

I enjoyed that. My man Alcaraz looks ready to rumble. This will be off the chains. hehe

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Again, Thiem stays at the back of the court way more. And There's that easy power Fonseca generates, unlike Thiem's more elaborated power. I don't see too many similarities between Thiem and Fonseca to be honest. Thiem was a heavy handed grinder. Fonseca is way more creative.

Did he show touch? I can't recall everything in the match but what I saw was more raw power than a Federesque approach to tennis. I also don't remember him going to the net as much as Fed, do remember Fons coming to the net when Rublev was rushed tho.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Djokovic said fonseca reminds him of himself.

Yes Fonseca is far too aggressive but vs players who have till now allowed him to play as aggressive. His career is just started and we have not seen him play top competition a lot.

How does he play like nole?

 

[Daniel Andrade]

rapid or blitz top 10 which is more pure chess.

K lol

 

[nolefam_2024]

How does he play like nole?

His backhand is like Nole. Which is main factor. You can't call yourself like Federer if your backhand is 2 hander.

Very balanced on both wings.

Both also rarely attack the net. Identical net approach rate. But both can handle variety.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

His backhand is like Nole. Which is main factor. You can't call yourself like Federer if your backhand is 2 hander.

Very balanced on both wings.

Both also rarely attack the net. Identical net approach rate. But both can handle variety.

I will only give you the backhand thing, the rest is very different.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I will only give you the backhand thing, the rest is very different.

Every next gen player coming up hits with full poly and they hit far harder than fedkovic and even nadal.

That is not going to change any longer. Because they are hitting with a lot of power naturally there attacking numbers are boosted.

 

[Rosstour]

Why do you ask? Is there some issue there?

Shapo was born in Israel and being Israeli, or Jewish, has long been a lightning rod for political activism in sports (usually an Iranian judoka getting DQ'd for refusing to fight an Israeli)

And since 10/7 it's only got worse

 

[McGradey]

Wow, amazing second serve ace down break point from Opelka. 200kmh arcing away up the T.

And nukes a few inside out forehands to save another break point. Good stuff!

 

[McGradey]

Third time lucky for Machac and he will serve for it

 

[sandiegoman]

Opelka was spraying balls