It feels as though all of the joy has been sucked out of the ATP like a dementor were about
But his essence will never be forgotten.Nadal played 2 matches in 23 and barely played any consequential match in 24. Tour moved on completely.
I can't wait for what @vive le beau jeu ! has to say about this!It feels as though all of the joy has been sucked out of the ATP like a dementor were about
He has no words as he's still passed out from happiness.I can't wait for what @vive le beau jeu ! has to say about this!![]()
HeheheheMy balloon lost all its air the day Federer retired.![]()
Don't worry about even rg. We have alcaraz.Only RG will not feel the same.
That makesAre you kidding me? I finally feel relief. I've been waiting 20 long, torturous years for that guy to disappear.
Are you kidding me? I finally feel relief. I've been waiting 20 long, torturous years for that guy to disappear.
it feels sooo refreshing...
Exactly. Every year new guys are coming in with talent. Tennis will not skip a beat.Personally I'm very hyped about the future. Perhaps because I'm playing more than ever I will watch more tennis than ever. I'm thinking of subscribing to tennis tv.
I'll feel the exact same way about Novak so I can relateI am happy Nadal is gone, honestly.
Yes..Nadal basically retired with the Slam Record which is why he seems such satisfied guy. He took care of business in 2022Nadal played 2 matches in 23 and barely played any consequential match in 24. Tour moved on completely.
Is that because you like Novak a bit and do not want to see him humiliated by the top guys (at slams its going to be brutal for him against this New Gen) or because you cannot stand the sight of him period?I'll feel the exact same way about Novak so I can relate![]()
When the legs go, that's it. Connors said the very same thing. He couldn't keep going in 5 set GS matches with 40yr old legs. Which for him, was a big difference from 37yr old legs, scarily. I don't know how Djoko does it, honestly. Getting to the W final with a bum knee? you've got to give the guy credit, love/hate him. But I get the sense the clock is running out for him. The will is there, but the body is slowing down...you can see it. Fed, Nadal, both really pushed it to the limit as well. Right now, I think Djoko beats nearly everyone outside of the Top 10. But beating Sinner and Carlos is a much taller order. Even Meddy. When Fritzy starts beating him, then you know he's done, IMHO.Is that because you like Novak a bit and do not want to see him humiliated by the top guys (at slams its going to be brutal for him against this New Gen) or because you cannot stand the sight of him period?
I'll be happy when he is gone as i genuinely think its going to be tragic to see one of the greatest players ever get absolutely beat down at slams by the New Gen in later rounds because his legs have gone, which for me they clearly have now. At least Federer and Nadal had injury issues which ended their careers, which while not pleasant, at least is sort of just bad luck ultimately (same with Agassi) but to fade away because the leg speed and stamina is gone is to me the worse way to bow out.
I miss Nadal, but enjoy Carlos...when he's flowing, he's a lot of fun to watch. Sinner, less exciting, but damn, he can hit that ball for a skinny guy! I get a kick out of crazy Meddy too. Look, the amazing era of the Big 3 is over, it was going to happen. but hopefully, we'll get some new personalities that attract viewers and recreational players. The last "next gen" pool didn't really pan out so well. The Big 3 still lorded over them. We'll see what's to come in 2025.You miss the guys but it's also nice to think about watching matches without the extreme stress.
Carlos seems like a genuinely lovely guy but also one who is likely to put fans through some trauma in the coming years! So I'm a bit reluctant to jump fully onto the train!
Djokovic and Sinner fans seem to be fighting a bit on social media so plus ca change.......... There's always new battles to fight.
Yes agree with all that. Novak hits the ball as well as ever. I was watching a re-run on Sky yesterday of Nadal v Djokovic 2009 in Madrid and Novak still hits glorious shots with pin point accuracy. However his foot speed now is (obviously) noticeable slower, he is not as elastic as he once was and crucially his stamina is greatly reduced. I still think best of 3 set matches he can be a threat (as we saw at Olympics) and he could surpass Connors overall titles record in my view. However at the slams i think he is done as a contender to win them. To be fair i think he knows that given some of his comments yesterday after his match. The game has drastically moved on now in that every young player under 23 now is a physical specimen able to play extended rallies and strong off both wings and able to crush the ball. For older players that means a lot of running and its too much for them. Nadal and Djokovic changed the sport (Federer was in the old school mould just the best at it with Sampras) and now 20 years later we are seeing the sport move on again. It happens, usually sooner than 20 years actually.When the legs go, that's it. Connors said the very same thing. He couldn't keep going in 5 set GS matches with 40yr old legs. Which for him, was a big difference from 37yr old legs, scarily. I don't know how Djoko does it, honestly. Getting to the W final with a bum knee? you've got to give the guy credit, love/hate him. But I get the sense the clock is running out for him. The will is there, but the body is slowing down...you can see it. Fed, Nadal, both really pushed it to the limit as well. Right now, I think Djoko beats nearly everyone outside of the Top 10. But beating Sinner and Carlos is a much taller order. Even Meddy. When Fritzy starts beating him, then you know he's done, IMHO.