2025 French Open - Men’s Singles
- Thread starter Rattie
- Start date
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Are you watching Sinner? You might want to think again! lol
Bill Lobsalot
Hall of Fame
If his allegiance was to Russia, he'd be playing for Russia. Maybe his heart is in Russia, but he bailed as a Russian player.
Kafel69
Professional
Safin's residence was in Monaco also and what? IIRC, a lot players pick Monaco for tax reasons. Bublik himself said he's all about that dough and KZ showed him plenty. Nothing else to it.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
Every player makes some silly unforced errors here and there, especially in best of 5.No, you can't justify the silly unforced errors he makes and the blatantly bad decisions he makes so often.
He could have won the third set and pushed his 38-year-old rival's physical condition to the limit, but he decided to waste that opportunity.
As for decisions, the guy is constantly thinking outside the box and trying to be unconventional. It comes with the territory.
Rovesciarete
Hall of Fame
Tiaofe has been the most aced 'good' player for some time. Aggressive return position, not the biggest reflexes and a shortish wingspan all combine. However Musetti is one of the weakest servers among the top players. Much will depend on the pressure Francis will be able to put on the second serve.
chicagodude
Hall of Fame
Okay, I'm a fan of Bublik now. He's well spoken, clearly intelligent, and has a refreshingly honest take on tennis. I can respect somebody who is honest about having priorities other than tennis in life, not wanting to destroy himself physically to win slams, and not wanting to push his own career or honors onto his kid unless they specifically ask about it.
Good on him for having a healthy approach to life it seems.
chicagodude
Hall of Fame
Funny, I find Querrey unbearable, and wonder why they keep trucking out the super-stale McEnroe bros. Eubanks is excellent though.
Rosstour
Talk Tennis Guru
Watching Johnny Mac try to put Eubanks "in his place" today was very cringey
I was a huge fan of the brothers but their time is up
Tallawah Tennis
Professional
Yah man, some things never change, others are unpredictable. Take today’s 4 round matches.
Novak showing Norrie how it’s done, winning in straights with the ease of a man out on his morning ramble. Dude sailing on, enjoying his tennis. Norrie comes across as a down to earth chap, will most likely have known it would take something extra to get past Novak, and he could not find it. It was all he could do to maintain serve for at least some games. Novak into the qf without dropping a set.
Griekspoor apparently suffered an abdominal injury and retired for that reason, behind by a set and 3 games. Doubtful if the dude could have beaten Zverev in any event, but pity it ended this way. I hope he’s okay. Meanwhile Zverev conserving energy – it’ll be much needed against Novak, if they both play well and it’s a fight.
For me, the match of the day by a long mile was the Draper / Bublik encounter. What a superb performance by AB to outplay JD and dictate terms to win it in 4. Even the 1st set was well contested – dude remaining focused and resolute despite losing it. My favourite match of the tournament so far. JD looked unsettled, with no pertinent answer to his opponent’s quality. Dude is too good a player to let this loss impact his next endeavour, look forward to seeing him do battle again soon. Very well done to AB for getting through to the qf.
www.atptour.com
The last match today was interesting in that Rublev achieved more than seemed possible after the trouncing in the 1st set. Jannik looking imperious as usual, no nonsense from the start. Therefore, a good effort by Rublev to remain focused, and play better in the 2nd & 3rd sets. A loss seemed inevitable, but at least he was able to compete reasonably. Jannik looks very comfortable and honed. The others beware.
Novak showing Norrie how it’s done, winning in straights with the ease of a man out on his morning ramble. Dude sailing on, enjoying his tennis. Norrie comes across as a down to earth chap, will most likely have known it would take something extra to get past Novak, and he could not find it. It was all he could do to maintain serve for at least some games. Novak into the qf without dropping a set.
Griekspoor apparently suffered an abdominal injury and retired for that reason, behind by a set and 3 games. Doubtful if the dude could have beaten Zverev in any event, but pity it ended this way. I hope he’s okay. Meanwhile Zverev conserving energy – it’ll be much needed against Novak, if they both play well and it’s a fight.
For me, the match of the day by a long mile was the Draper / Bublik encounter. What a superb performance by AB to outplay JD and dictate terms to win it in 4. Even the 1st set was well contested – dude remaining focused and resolute despite losing it. My favourite match of the tournament so far. JD looked unsettled, with no pertinent answer to his opponent’s quality. Dude is too good a player to let this loss impact his next endeavour, look forward to seeing him do battle again soon. Very well done to AB for getting through to the qf.
Alexander Bublik upsets Jack Draper at Roland Garros: 'Best moment of my life' | ATP Tour | Tennis
Alexander Bublik reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros, where he had never advanced beyond the second round.
www.atptour.com
The last match today was interesting in that Rublev achieved more than seemed possible after the trouncing in the 1st set. Jannik looking imperious as usual, no nonsense from the start. Therefore, a good effort by Rublev to remain focused, and play better in the 2nd & 3rd sets. A loss seemed inevitable, but at least he was able to compete reasonably. Jannik looks very comfortable and honed. The others beware.
Yah man, one of the best comments I've read on this site, worth logging on to see it. Ditto to your sentiments. Truly inspirational when they bend reality.
Vincent-C
Legend
Johan Kriek was like that for me (dating myself). Plus he had this irascible, I-can't-be-bothered-with-this-BS temperament that drew one in..
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nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
Really sad that this type of player is getting celebrated for saying he wants to prioritize other things in life..
This is exactly not what pros do. It's his choice but it's particularly wrong when this guy is literally saying if he loses set 4 , he will maybe not even play fifth or just tank..
Is this not what you saw ? Verbatim the guy says he would default or tank if he loses fourth. Luckily today he won but next time would not be lucky and when he would lose a tough set like today , he has already told what will happen.
There are some things in life grok can’t explain.
Vincent-C
Legend
Yes, when Bublik said he'd rather be able to walk at forty than win a Major- I salute that guy.
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malbaker86
Hall of Fame
And you’ll still be watching so whatever
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
I don't watch bubla type players no.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
He said that in 2019, and then rectified it in 2022.
Today he said it was the happiest day of his life, and I don't think he was thinking about money, precisely.
Kafel69
Professional
he's only saying this because he actually has some sort of a god given affinity for tennis (i.e., talent). if he didn't, he'd be grinding like the rest of them. that's one thing he did seem to overlook bigly. similar to kyrgios, but with a much better character. nick is funny and entertaining, but can step way over the line quickly.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
That is also wrong. He achieves marginal with marginal efforts. But if he gives 100% he won't become top 5 even then .
His unorthodox play is hard to work all the time. A beta kyrgios.
Vincent-C
Legend
To some degree I think Bublik is taking the pressure off with his recent comments. Wilander (and many others) used to do that.
I think he'll be all-in against Carrot.
PS: to me a little bit of Kyrgios goes a long, long way. Bublik is a much more interesting type.
Vincent-C
Legend
Maybe he should!
Rafa4GOAT
Hall of Fame
I think people are under estimating how much effort Bublik puts in. Like he says in this press conference, hard work is non negotiable to be a pro player. He just does what he sees as the bare minimum to reach whatever level he’s happy with. But his bare minimum is still far more than any normal human being.
McGradey
Hall of Fame
Healthy perspective.
In his line of work there are guys who are simply better athletes than he will ever be, and who also want the success the most out of anyone. It's not weak to acknowledge the truth, which in his case is that the path to the top is blocked by a bunch of obsessive psychos who are better than him at their jobs. All players not in the elite category arrive at this realisation at some point. Some when they are ranked 200, or 1000, and can't go any higher. Others when they've gotten much nearer the top of the pile, which he has.
Vincent-C
Legend
JMac was a sublime tennis player. I wish he'd left it at that-
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Except Novak and Sinner
thaiporean
Rookie
SInner to win RG without dropping a set.
u heard it here first
novak will prevail over zerev in a 5 set slugfest
moosetti will edge out carlos in 4 or 5
ez SINNER WIN
let the SINNER REIGN BEGIN!
u heard it here first
novak will prevail over zerev in a 5 set slugfest
moosetti will edge out carlos in 4 or 5
ez SINNER WIN
let the SINNER REIGN BEGIN!
Vincent-C
Legend
Plausible.. don't know if it's likely.
chicagodude
Hall of Fame
I think you’re taking some what he said way too literally. Plus, who is ‘celebrating’ him? Yeah I like his outlook in life in terms of not making tennis more important than it is (it’s just a game after all, despite what many here seem to think), so I support him and wish him success. Not like we’re putting him in a pedestal saying he’s the greatest or anything.
I like players who try their absolute best without losing sight of the place of tennis in life. Sue me
chicagodude
Hall of Fame
This also gets to something I am often frustrated by, which is people claiming somebody is less talented but simply worked much harder to get the same results (eg Nadal vs Federer as most obvious example).
As if the ability and capacity to be ultra disciplined when it comes to how you live and train doesn’t take talent.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
I can't sue you.
The same thing is used to bash players who are actually consistent and don't show over aggressiveness like ruud or hurkacz saying they are too nice. But this guy who has a freak run is somehow better for not even caring ?
This guy is celebrated for being relatable. This outlook in life for not making tennis more important, I don't buy. I see many greats have families. Many slams winners have families like Medvedev and they are already balancing both.
It's not about giving up your body for tennis. Aside from delpotro and few unlucky ones most of the tennis players live healthy life post retirement. They are not having binary either career or health option.
So this is another excuse .
marc45
G.O.A.T.
he's the Undead....and his brother is the cryptkeeper
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
Yes, Querrey is very annoying too. Eubanks isn't bad, but also nothing special and it's clear he lacks some confidence.
I still don't mind the McEnros brothers. They aren't amazing, but still good enough, and Johnny Mac still has some funny moments here and there. But maybe it's a NY thing.
I almost thought this was a joke... but then I realized you are serious, which is sad. This guy has actual perspective, and you are knocking him for it? People like you, with attitudes like yours, are a big part of the problem.
And of course you support Djokovic. A guy that is shady at best, would clearly resort to anything to win (even if it goes against the rules), and regularly puts on an act for the cameras. Not surprised at all...
Exactly. This exact same thing often happens in the workplace as well. There will always be some guy or gal with no life that doesn't mind having their work phone with them 24/7, and will happily reply to a work email at 1am, or in the middle of a grand slam final. It's sad.
Vincent-C
Legend
Gaah, I wasn't going to mention the (Alfred E. Neuman lookalike) brother.
intrepidish
Hall of Fame
What did McEnroe say to Eubanks?
Rosstour
Talk Tennis Guru
Eubanks challenged the Mac Bros on their effusive prediction about Djokovic, and their response was basically "who cares about the meaningful stats you just brought up, this is the guy who's won 24 majors" and they just started laughing at him. I thought it was pretty shtty
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
I think deep down Johnny Mac is still a very competitive guy. Supposedly he used to get pretty grumpy when playing younger local players as an old guy, because he didn't want to lose to anyone, no matter who old he was. So I think he might resent a guy like Eubanks trying to contest him.
Rosstour
Talk Tennis Guru
Oh I agree, it was totally obvious. And Eubanks exposed him IMO
EddieChang
Semi-Pro
Obviously, the things people say about Federer and Nadal are ridiculous. Both are incredibly talented and hardworking—you can’t claim otherwise just because Nadal’s style makes the effort more visible, while Federer’s looks more effortless. But I think your argument misses the mark a bit. The issue isn’t that people ignore the capacity for discipline as a form of talent—it’s that they misread Nadal as working harder purely based on appearances (and misread fed as not working as hard).
If you want to highlight the difference in mental discipline as a talent, a better example would be someone like Kyrgios. He clearly has immense natural ability—especially his serve and feel for the game—but he lacks the consistent work ethic and focus that the top players have. That too is a kind of talent: the ability to show up every day and give full effort. It’s something players like De Minaur exemplify, even if they don’t have Kyrgios’s raw firepower.
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