I miss the quirks of each Grand Slam

[Fedeonic]

Since 2019, all Grand Slams have been losing their own personality for some reason that I never heard of. Some of the sad changes made by each major:
-AO: No more Thu-Fri night men's SF and Thu afternoon women's SF, no more ad-set final set.
-RG: Scheduled night sessions, divided one-W one-M QF in Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen each, no more ad-set final set.
-WB: No more Middle Sunday, Manic Monday and the 2nd week schedule, no more second weekend adult's finals, no more ad-set final set.
-USO: No more classic tiebreak in the final set.

Now all majors seem bland, without any personality, and only distinguishable from each other by the court and surface they play.

 

[The Fedfather]

I don't care for those quirks other than the TBs. Don't like the 10 point rule. Other than that, I perceive Slams personality mainly through how the tournament is organized. And for quite some time already, the only Slam that stood out in that sense was the AO, when they were doing all those interviews and had players participate in games, and on youtube they provide the best access to watching matches and practices, they have great highlights and on-court interviews, footage of what happens in the tunnel, and just everything basically. Their website is really nice too. Love AO. The other 3 Slams have been stagnant in comparison.

 

[Mustard]

Up to 2004, Australian Open men's singles finals took place in the daytime.

Up to 2007 (would have been longer but for rain delays in the years following), the US Open had Super Saturday for the men's semi finals and the final would be played the next day

From 1978 to 1996, Louis Armstrong stadium was the main court at the US Open. No Arthur Ashe stadium yet.

Up to 1995, Wimbledon's old Court 1 was directly alongside Centre Court, and you could hear the crowd noise. The old Court 1 had the scoreboard on a big stand on the left hand side of the playing part of the court. Not many players missed it when it went, but a few players hated the new Court 1 (like Greg Rusedski).

 

[DSH]

Since 2019, all Grand Slams have been losing their own personality for some reason that I never heard of. Some of the sad changes made by each major:
-AO: No more Thu-Fri night men's SF and Thu afternoon women's SF, no more ad-set final set.
-RG: Scheduled night sessions, divided one-W one-M QF in Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen each, no more ad-set final set.
-WB: No more Middle Sunday, Manic Monday and the 2nd week schedule, no more second weekend adult's finals, no more ad-set final set.
-USO: No more classic tiebreak in the final set.

Now all majors seem bland, without any personality, and only distinguishable from each other by the court and surface they play.

It seems excellent to me that the semifinals of the Australian Open are played on the same day, avoiding giving advantage to the first runner-up.

 

[Fedeonic]

It seems excellent to me that the semifinals of the Australian Open are played on the same day, avoiding giving advantage to the first runner-up.

Ask Federer 2009 and Nadal 2012 if the extra day worked.

 

[MeatTornado]

Up to 2004, Australian Open men's singles finals took place in the daytime.

Technically the AO having night time finals could count as a quirk. The other 3 are all during the day. Well, the USO starts in the daytime, at least.

 

[aus89]

I do think eventually the AO will become the indoor slam.

 

[Mustard]

Technically the AO having night time finals could count as a quirk. The other 3 are all during the day. Well, the USO starts in the daytime, at least.

The point I was trying to make to Fedeonic is that things have changed at the majors before, many years ago. It was sensible to change the final to the evening in Australia, to avoid that heat of the daytime. I also think it was sensible to end Super Saturday at the US Open where they would play the men's semi finals just 1 day before the men's final.

Another one to mention to Fedeonic is that players on Centre Court at Wimbledon had to bow or curtsy to the Royal Box up to 2002 whenever they stepped onto court. If there were numerous rain delays in a short period, that was a lot of bowing or curtsying. Stefan Edberg famously forgot one time during the persistent rain delayed 1988 final against Boris Becker.

 

[MeatTornado]

The point I was trying to make to Fedeonic is that things have changed at the majors before, many years ago. It was sensible to change the final to the evening in Australia, to avoid that heat of the daytime. I also think it was sensible to end Super Saturday at the US Open where they would play the men's semi finals just 1 day before the men's final.

I know, just pointing out that that particular change actually ended up making it more unique as opposed to the others that only made things more homogenized. And I agree, mostly for the better. Super Saturday was always ridiculous.

 

[Fedeonic]

The point I was trying to make to Fedeonic is that things have changed at the majors before, many years ago. It was sensible to change the final to the evening in Australia, to avoid that heat of the daytime. I also think it was sensible to end Super Saturday at the US Open where they would play the men's semi finals just 1 day before the men's final.

Another one to mention to Fedeonic is that players on Centre Court at Wimbledon had to bow or curtsy to the Royal Box up to 2002 whenever they stepped onto court. If there were numerous rain delays in a short period, that was a lot of bowing or curtsying. Stefan Edberg famously forgotten one time during the persistent rain delayed 1988 final against Boris Becker.

Of those quirks you mentioned, except the Super-Saturday that I just watched once, I think, all the rest were before I was born or before I watched tennis.
And bowing to the Royal Box gives a ceremoniously attitude to Wimbledon.

 

[Mustard]

Of those quirks you mentioned, except the Super-Saturday that I just watched once, I think, all the rest were before I was born or before I watched tennis.
And bowing to the Royal Box gives a ceremoniously attitude to Wimbledon.

Some other things:

1. The sitdown rule at the change of ends used to be different in the 20th century. It was changed at the start of 2000. Under the old rule, players would always sit down after the first game of a set, and would only sit down at the end of a set if the set ended 6-1, 6-3 or 7-6 (odd number of games). If a set ended 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 or 7-5 (even number of games), the players would immediately play the first game of the next set before sitting down. The new and current rule is that players never sit down after the first game of a set, but always sit down at the end of a set. If a set ends 6-0, 6-2, 6-4 or 7-5, they play the first game of the next set after a sitdown and go back to the same side of the net that they had ended the previous set on.

2. Prior to 1973-1974, there were no sitdowns at the change of ends at all. They would remain standing, have a quick drink and walk to the other side. When sitdowns were introduced in 1973-74, it was primarily for broadcast/advertizing reasons rather than player welfare.

 

[socallefty]

I think all the quirks have been removed by a better common sense way to do things. I like it including the standardized tiebreak format.

 

[Mustard]

I think all the quirks have been removed by a better common sense way to do things. I like it including the standardized tiebreak format.

I like the champions tiebreak (first to 10 points, with at least 2 points clear) for the fifth set if they were going to end traditional fifth sets like they have.

 

[Silverbullet96]

Those all look irrelevant quirks to me, some are even detrimental to the players.

-WB: No more Middle Sunday

What, you miss having no Tennis on that day ?

 

[The Blond Blur]

I absolutely hated the no play on middle Sundays at Wimby as well as Manic Monday. Without play on the middle Sunday it just wrecked havoc on the schedule. There’d be so many matches that you’d miss since they had to be played at the same time.

I don’t miss Super Saturday at the USO either. Now I absolutely hate the super TB we have for all the schlems in the 5th set.

 

[DSH]

Ask Federer 2009 and Nadal 2012 if the extra day worked.

That's secondary, you focus on names, I focus on fair play.

 

[Mustard]

I absolutely hated the no play on middle Sundays at Wimby as well as Manic Monday. Without play on the middle Sunday it just wrecked havoc on the schedule. There’d be so many matches that you’d miss since they had to be played at the same time.

I don’t miss Super Saturday at the USO either. Now I absolutely hate the super TB we have for all the schlems in the 5th set.

1982 was the first year that the Wimbledon men's singles final was deliberately scheduled on a Sunday. Prior to that, the Wimbledon men's singles final was on a Saturday (and the women's singles final on a Friday), although rain delays on the final Saturday in 1972 saw the men's singles final that year between Stan Smith and Ilie Nastase played on the Sunday. 1991 was the first Wimbledon with play taking place on the middle Sunday due to bad weather in the first week. As I recall, some first round matches hadn't been completed after the first Saturday in 1991.

As for the champions tiebreak, I prefer it in the fifth set to an ordinary tiebreak. Traditional fifth sets have gone now, they've crossed the Rubicon on that, thanks to John Isner and co. In the old days, players would change tactics or try to mix things up late in a fifth set, even big servers like Ivanisevic and Krajicek in the 1998 Wimbledon semi tried a few things different. Isner would go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on etc. I remember Hewitt saying that once it got to about 10-10 in the fifth set, he'd go ultra-attack and live or die by whether it was a winner or unforced error.

 

[Mustard]

That's secondary, you focus on names, I focus on fair play.

They got either 2 days or 3 days off in between the Australian Open semi final and final before, depending on whether they were the first or second semi final. That's enough time either way. You could make a case that 3 days is perhaps a bit too long, and 2 days would mean a sharper player. Nothing like the US Open in the Super Saturday era where both men's semi finals were played on the Saturday and then back they came on the Sunday to play the final.

 

[DSH]

They got either 2 days or 3 days off in between the Australian Open semi final and final before, depending on whether they were the first or second semi final. That's enough time either way. You could make a case that 3 days is perhaps a bit too long, and 2 days would mean a sharper player. Nothing like the US Open in the Super Saturday era where both men's semi finals were played on the Saturday and then back they came on the Sunday to play the final.

For me it is very good that the semifinals are played on the same day and thus avoid any controversy.
The Super Saturday thing was blessed madness but sooner or later it had to end.

 

[The returner]

Generic tennis.

 

[pj80]

The point I was trying to make to Fedeonic is that things have changed at the majors before, many years ago. It was sensible to change the final to the evening in Australia, to avoid that heat of the daytime. I also think it was sensible to end Super Saturday at the US Open where they would play the men's semi finals just 1 day before the men's final.

Another one to mention to Fedeonic is that players on Centre Court at Wimbledon had to bow or curtsy to the Royal Box up to 2002 whenever they stepped onto court. If there were numerous rain delays in a short period, that was a lot of bowing or curtsying. Stefan Edberg famously forgot one time during the persistent rain delayed 1988 final against Boris Becker.

Yeah, Super Saturday was dumb...it was only there because of CBS who covered the tournament only on the weekends during the day to get the most of the ratings...that's why you would see top stars play during the day in the middle of the tournament on Saturdays, Sunday and Sunday (Labour Day Holiday). That's why, for example, we had matches like Sampras-Rafter and Agassi-Federer at USO 2001 during the day and not in primetime because CBS wanted those during their coverage window....and that's also why we had matches on "Super Saturday" because CBS didn't cover on Fridays...
Super Saturday was eliminated in 2015 when ESPN had the exclusive rights to US Open and it didn't matter anymore whether the semis were friday or saturday...ESPN was covering it regardless
2008-2014 The Men's Final was played on Monday because of the weather...not because they wanted to avoid having men play back to back days.

 

[Mustard]

2008-2014 The Men's Final was played on Monday because of the weather...not because they wanted to avoid having men play back to back days.

2008-2012 saw the weather delay things. 2013-2014 they played the semis on Saturday and deliberately scheduled the final for Monday. 2015 they then scrapped Super Saturday altogether, playing the semis on Friday and the final on Sunday.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Not to mention slam stock being driven progressively steeply into the abyss over the last decade.

 

[pj80]

2008-2012 saw the weather delay things. 2013-2014 they played the semis on Saturday and deliberately scheduled the final for Monday. 2015 they then scrapped Super Saturday altogether, playing the semis on Friday and the final on Sunday.

maybe....but it's still due to CBS leaving and ESPN taking over

 

[Fedeonic]

What, you miss having no Tennis on that day ?

Not that I liked Middle Sunday, but I feel sad that tradition went away, as many others at Wimbledon.

 

[TheAssassin]

Looks like half the old quirks is just about the fifth set format lol.

A part of me is a bit disappointed that the recent period when all four Slams had a different rule for it was very short lived. The scheduling changes, I don't know. I feel like it takes quicker to get used to changes than we might think at first.

 

[christo]

Up to 2004, Australian Open men's singles finals took place in the daytime.

Up to 2007 (would have been longer but for rain delays in the years following), the US Open had Super Saturday for the men's semi finals and the final would be played the next day

From 1978 to 1996, Louis Armstrong stadium was the main court at the US Open. No Arthur Ashe stadium yet.

Up to 1995, Wimbledon's old Court 1 was directly alongside Centre Court, and you could hear the crowd noise. The old Court 1 had the scoreboard on a big stand on the left hand side of the playing part of the court. Not many players missed it when it went, but a few players hated the new Court 1 (like Greg Rusedski).

Court 1 hated Greg Rusedski as did most fans, the faux englishman was a ******

 

[christo]

maybe....but it's still due to CBS leaving and ESPN taking over

ESPN needs a complete makeover, their coverage stinks as do many of their commentators

 

[kevin qmto]

I disagree. Formats should be identical at all grand slams.

 

[pj80]

Up to 2004, Australian Open men's singles finals took place in the daytime.

Up to 2007 (would have been longer but for rain delays in the years following), the US Open had Super Saturday for the men's semi finals and the final would be played the next day

From 1978 to 1996, Louis Armstrong stadium was the main court at the US Open. No Arthur Ashe stadium yet.

Up to 1995, Wimbledon's old Court 1 was directly alongside Centre Court, and you could hear the crowd noise. The old Court 1 had the scoreboard on a big stand on the left hand side of the playing part of the court. Not many players missed it when it went, but a few players hated the new Court 1 (like Greg Rusedski).

Court 1 was demolished after 1996 Wimbledon...it's where Becker injured his wrist...and it's also where Edberg played his last Wimbledon match against Tilstrom

 

[Mustard]

maybe....but it's still due to CBS leaving and ESPN taking over

Had CBS stayed, I assume they'd have continued with the 2013-2014 formula of deliberately scheduled Monday finals. Something happened between 2008-2012, with the persistent rain delays of semi finals and final causing the tournament to finish on Monday, to make almost everyone see that the Saturday-Sunday schedule for the semis-final was untenable going forward.

 

[Mustard]

Court 1 hated Greg Rusedski as did most fans, the faux englishman was a ******

LOL. Tell us how you feel

Court 1 was demolished after 1996 Wimbledon...it's where Becker injured his wrist...and it's also where Edberg played his last Wimbledon match against Tilstrom

Thanks. That wrist injury was really bizarre. It was the first point of the first set tiebreak, Becker stretching for a service return, and the wrist went. He was out of action for 3 months, and had to retire in his first match back because of it as well. Then Becker played some of his greatest tennis ever in late 1996.

 

[pj80]

LOL. Tell us how you feel


Thanks. That wrist injury was really bizarre. It was the first point of the first set tiebreak, Becker stretching for a service return, and the wrist went. He was out of action for 3 months, and had to retire in his first match back because of it as well. Then Becker played some of his greatest tennis ever in late 1996.

Yes I thought Becker played well leading into that match and who knows with Pete out maybe Becker could have won one more Wimbledon.

 

[Sudacafan]

Yes. I miss Federer participating in all 4 slams of the year.

 

[Mustard]

Yes I thought Becker played well leading into that match and who knows with Pete out maybe Becker could have won one more Wimbledon.

Those Becker vs. Sampras matches in Stuttgart and Hanover in late 1996 are epics. I think the 1996 YEC final in Hanover may have been the record for consecutive service holds between both players in a match before Isner vs. Mahut at 2010 Wimbledon, at 49 consecutive service holds. It's slightly ahead of the 2001 US Open quarter final between Sampras and Agassi, where all 48 service games in the match saw a hold of serve.

 

[Mike Sams]

Since 2019, all Grand Slams have been losing their own personality for some reason that I never heard of. Some of the sad changes made by each major:
-AO: No more Thu-Fri night men's SF and Thu afternoon women's SF, no more ad-set final set.
-RG: Scheduled night sessions, divided one-W one-M QF in Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen each, no more ad-set final set.
-WB: No more Middle Sunday, Manic Monday and the 2nd week schedule, no more second weekend adult's finals, no more ad-set final set.
-USO: No more classic tiebreak in the final set.

Now all majors seem bland, without any personality, and only distinguishable from each other by the court and surface they play.

I think it's more to do with the same 1 or 2 guys winning everything that's made tennis bland. Anytime there's a hopeful young talent who comes about and seems like he could be a threat to the top guys, he gets injured and disappears for months or he gets eliminated early in the draw.
Alcaraz, Holger, Korda, etc. Then you got the likes of Medvedev, Zverev, Felix who still can't seem to show any consistency. Then you got Thiem who was making inroads but now has broken down and fallen off and can't seem to get back.