ATP weeks of 03/08 - 03/19: Indian Wells (1000)

IW’23 Men’s Singles Champion


  • Total voters
    51
  • Poll closed .

chuckersthenut

Professional
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Where is Federer now?


I rest my case.
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
First, I'll note that clearly Tiafoe is a level below Med to begin with, so just at a base level, the result isn't surprising at all.

I think Foe's problem is that he's trying to out-Med Med and he can't. And if you think about it, that's sort of how Tiafoe plays - minus the massive consistency. He has a serve that can do damage, he likes to cat-and-mouse, he goes big sometimes, but not all the time. But it's all at a level below med. He can't stay in rallies long enough to challenge Med and draw a lot of errors.

So what to do? I'd say go higher risk - go bigger than normal. Total aggression, a la Sinner, really isn't really Tiafoe's game either. He's sort of between an outright aggressive game like Sinner and an extremely measured game like Med. But in this instance, where he's never going to win playing extremely measured - I'd say just go bigger. Bigger first serves, second serves, a little bit more urgency on big groundies, and still, of course, work in net play and drop shots if there's an opportunity.

If he does this and makes a ton of errors, people will call him out for for looking sloppy and irresponsible. But the starting point is that he's the underdog to begin with, that Med's the better player, and he can't out-Med med by playing 15 positioning shots before winning the point. So, playing outside of himself is somewhat necessary unless for some reason Med is extremely off and missing a ton early - which he isn't.
 
Tiafoe's game is just crap. That serve is pathetic. It has no business even appearing on TV. Hopefully Fritz can pick up the pieces of American Men's tennis somewhat. And maybe steal a slam. TiafMug never will
 

Terenigma

G.O.A.T.
This is like the old Medvedev who would stumble on the last hurdle when he's been the better player all match, I hoped he had got rid of that after his excellent start to 2023.
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
Oh Med. He's usually responds well when stuff like this happens. But it probably should not have happened. I guess it illustrates how important it is to compete to the very end. Tiafoe at least earned a chance by getting through those match points. Though, he's right back to getting broken. Lol.
 
Oh Med. He's usually responds well when stuff like this happens. But it probably should not have happened. I guess it illustrates how important it is to compete to the very end. Tiafoe at least earned a chance by getting through those match points. Though, he's right back to getting broken. Lol.

Well. Its why he only has one slam now instead of 4-5 HC slams. Too many mental brainfarts
 

Terenigma

G.O.A.T.
Just heard that Medvedev has not had a hair cut since his winning streak started, and he is not planning to until he loses.

Where did you hear that? Did he say it himself? Would be hilarious if true, not that he has much hair to grow these days.
 

jl809

Hall of Fame
Sometimes days go by where I forget that Fratboy Frances took part in Federer’s last ever match and drilled a few shots at his face in that final set TB for good measure
 
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