Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Nadal usually doesn't defend Slams outside of RG. He'll have to go earn it and beat some real threats including Dom Thiem and Novak Djokovic...without a crowd to energize him.
U.S. Open Update
- Thread starter marc45
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Deleted member 770948
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Rafa didn't beat either of those guys when he won his last 2 US Opens in 2017 and 2019, so he probably won't have to.
Beat Thiem in 2018 USO, but retired in the SF vs. Del Potro.
Will be interesting to see how the lockdown impacted each player, and we may see some lower ranked guys do better than usual at this US Open, because they won't be worn-out by the usually busy calendar....
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
That's the biggest thing about this US Open. Many players lower ranked are starving financially. We could see them fight harder than ever before...especially when they'll be fresh physically and mentally and determined to make a good run. I also see a lot of potential threats with a rejuvenated Monfils, Thiem, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Wawrinka, and others. This could be a great event without any fans. Lot of possible threats to the big 3 here.
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Deleted member 770948
Guest
Yes and if there are no crowds then the lower ranked guys will not be as nervous, because the crowds probably make them nervous in 5th Sets or on break points, plus the energy that top players get from crowds.
WarriorRafa
Hall of Fame
Im trying to see what will benefit Rafa here:
RG in September/October and US Open in Nov lets say. Good chance of winning RG but less chances for US with the cold weather.
RG and US both in September/October could lead to injury and not enough match play provided no warmups.
Then there is the whole issue of not having fans and how that will impact the players. It'll take a lot of willpower to win one or both slams.
Hopefully they play one of Montreal/Cincy and one of Rome/Madrid as well. No point in cancelling the season now because there wont be a vaccine in circulation till mid-end 2021 at the earliest I believe. Just get on with the season. Hopefully it'll work out for Rafa. It'll be interesting to see
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Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
A 34 year old Rafa is going to try to conjure up the energy to defend 2 Grand Slams back to back with only 1 week rest in between, and against possibly the strongest and freshest field of contenders we've had in years. This will be fun!
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
Stations or TV channels that pay the salary, surreptitiously, to important figures of the sport so that they demonstrate in favor of the reduction of sets in the Grand Slam tournaments to, according to them, improve the quality of this product and attract more audience, especially the younger ones, when reality is more complex than the simple idea of shortening the duration of the matches.
One more case of corporate lobby that is not bad per se but that in my opinion, would discredit the history and importance of Grand Slam tournaments, which are rightly considered the 4 most important trophies in tennis.
This possible measure would remove the epicity and the twists and turns that have the best of 5 sets matches.
The legendary Davis Cup has already run out of this format, nor will the final of the Olympic Games count more on this presentation, without forgetting that the most prestigious tournament of the ATP, the WTF, has not returned to play its decisive match in this way since 2007; the Majors have been orphaned and it is the duty of the ITF to safeguard tradition without this meaning not to look optimistically at the growth of the sport, although this requires a series of measures that must be taken jointly by the two highest tennis organizations and the union formed by players in order to continue generating a global expansion of the so-called racket sport.
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Deleted member 770948
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Good, most predictions are wrong
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Deleted member 744633
Guest
Djokovic is going after Federer's grand slam record. He wants his name above Federer's in the record books and I don't think an asterisk or 3 is something he'll be bothered by.
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Deleted member 770948
Guest
^Everybody is going after Federer's slam record, but they'll have to chase Rafa's slam record after that.....because nobody will stop Rafa from winning more US Opens and French Opens.
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Deleted member 768841
Guest
I’m putting my bets US open WILL happen this year, unless they make a premature cancel I expect things will clear up by then and people will be allowed to live life again.
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
125downthemiddle
Banned
Antonio Puente
Hall of Fame
Things don't have to clear up entirely. Group flights, daily testing, along with no or fewer fans should allow it to happen.
For months, Fed fans have celebrated the death of 2020. Now it appears Wimbledon might be the only slam skipped. Wimbledon - the only slam Fed had a chance at.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
Yeah let’s squeeze the last life force out of these players.
Tennis has changed massively, it’s much more harder for the body now. More grinding and running and longer points.
I’m all in for 3 sets until QF
Also it would be easier personally to watch. I work and can have a busy life like many others. I don’t have time to watch tennis 10 hours a day during a slam. Who has that. Tennis would attract more viewers this way.
ericarnett88
Rookie
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Why not the best of three till the semis, or best of 5 with a smaller draw with two fewer rounds? The best of five was fine in the eras when matches were not nearly as long as today's matches, some of which last over four hours.
NONSENSE!
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Anything less than normal 5 set format and 7 matches to win will be known as tainted Grand slam. That is because these Slams are test of endurance as well as skill. You have to prove you can stay strong even if you have to go 5 sets several times and reach the final and go 5 sets again to win, if you have to do that to win, you have to show that.
First of all the rules are the same for everyone and the players would be playing knowing the rules. Considering the most unusual situation this year, I think changing the rules for slams this year would be valid and wise.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Sure fine fine… but it will be know as 2020, shortened major with Asterik and historians will look at it as Odd slam. and if novak wins it and ties rafa or roger's record, it won't count as real major, so it will be waste of time for novak or rafa or anyone else that wins it. do you want that ?
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Not sure where you're at. But here in Pennsylvania we're experiencing between 500 and 700 new cases daily. And the numbers are even worse in NY. I wouldnt call that great shape. That's actually terrible if you ask me. And a couple of doctors that I play with say that they expect a second wave come Fall. Great shape?
So why isn't everyone claiming that Connors won 6 GS titles?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
because back then that was the normal slam
IF this year's French and USO are played this year, no matter what the format, they will be considered real slams by the ATP, ITF and WTA, no matter what you or anyone else thinks
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
NOT if it is best of 3 set format. Tennis Hall of fame will not consider it as legit and they will put an asterisk next to it. so If novak wins both, it won't count towards catching Federer's record.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Yeah let’s squeeze the last life force out of these players.
Tennis has changed massively, it’s much more harder for the body now. More grinding and running and longer points.
I’m all in for 3 sets until QF
Also it would be easier personally to watch. I work and can have a busy life like many others. I don’t have time to watch tennis 10 hours a day during a slam. Who has that. Tennis would attract more viewers this way.
Ewww
WRONG! Why would they bother holding the slams if they were not going to count, whatever the format? As I said before, the rules are the same for everyone. We all should be glad they are played, no matter what the format.
ericarnett88
Rookie
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Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
No, not really. all the legends of the game would laugh at them and best of 3 isn't even a test of real tennis. best of 5 is Slam very definition. It would become a JOKE if they go with best of 3
Beacon Hill
Hall of Fame
The number of cases in Pennsylvania and New York are only rising because they are testing for the virus. If they would stop testing, there would not be any new cases. Doctors are poor sources of information regarding health issues, and just because every other such virus had a second wave, I prefer to believe real experts like presidential advisers Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro, who are certain that Covid-19 is not a problem. The US also has the most comprehensive, evidence-based and cohesive national public health strategy in place, so that will ensure any event of any size will run smoothly. Look at any international news source - the US is the envy of the world right now, and I'm sure tennis players everywhere can't wait to get on a plane to the US as soon as possible to start preparing for the Open.Not sure where you're at. But here in Pennsylvania we're experiencing between 500 and 700 new cases daily. And the numbers are even worse in NY. I wouldnt call that great shape. That's actually terrible if you ask me. And a couple of doctors that I play with say that they expect a second wave come Fall. Great shape?
As much as I want professional tennis to return, I do not like the sound of the recent proposal to move the Cincinnati event to New York.
There's no question that the players want to play tennis at some point soon, but I have a feeling that many top players will balk at many of the proposed changes and restrictions. Federer has been vocal about not wanting to play without fans. Nadal seemed edgy about playing the French Open in September without his typical spring clay court preparation. Players are creatures of habit. While lower ranked players may feel like they don't have much to lose (and a lot to potentially gain), I don't believe Federer, Nadal or other top men or women want to randomly play Grand Slams under these abnormal, chaotic conditions.
In my opinion, the ATP and WTA must find a way to play several of the trademark lead-up tournaments in August (like Washington D.C., San Jose, Montreal/Toronto, Cincinnati and Winston-Salem) if the U.S. Open is to happen during its normal spot on the calendar. Top players will not want to show up in New York for essentially one warm-up event and then a Grand Slam after a near six month layoff. And I have no idea how the French Open would begin one week after the conclusion of the U.S. Open. That makes even less sense. The tennis calendar is set up a particular way on purpose. Rearranging and picking and choosing certain tournaments isn't fair, nor does it make sense.
There's no question that the players want to play tennis at some point soon, but I have a feeling that many top players will balk at many of the proposed changes and restrictions. Federer has been vocal about not wanting to play without fans. Nadal seemed edgy about playing the French Open in September without his typical spring clay court preparation. Players are creatures of habit. While lower ranked players may feel like they don't have much to lose (and a lot to potentially gain), I don't believe Federer, Nadal or other top men or women want to randomly play Grand Slams under these abnormal, chaotic conditions.
In my opinion, the ATP and WTA must find a way to play several of the trademark lead-up tournaments in August (like Washington D.C., San Jose, Montreal/Toronto, Cincinnati and Winston-Salem) if the U.S. Open is to happen during its normal spot on the calendar. Top players will not want to show up in New York for essentially one warm-up event and then a Grand Slam after a near six month layoff. And I have no idea how the French Open would begin one week after the conclusion of the U.S. Open. That makes even less sense. The tennis calendar is set up a particular way on purpose. Rearranging and picking and choosing certain tournaments isn't fair, nor does it make sense.
Antonio Puente
Hall of Fame
Top players need money. This is their livelihood.
But it's fair to cancel an entire season?
Certain people are still discussing this as if it's June of 2019 and we're living in a perfect world, a perfect world where no one should be forced to be the slightest bit uncomfortable or make sacrifices. That's not reality. Sporting events across the globe have and are moving to months and times they normally don't take place in.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
OK, guy, so we are about 99.9% sure that US open will go ahead as planned, with or without fans, TV only. Ok fine. but what about all the summer leadup tournaments to prepare the pro for the US open. Which of the prep tournaments will still go ahead as planned. will Cinci or Canada or washintong tounaments happen ?
The very top players do not actually "need the money," at least not for quite some time. The players hovering outside the top 50 to top 100 or lower absolutely need the money. Of course everyone wants to get back to playing professional tournaments, but I strongly believe that Federer, Nadal, and perhaps quite a few others view the possibility of chaotic, altered tournaments without fans as a big disadvantage to them. Both Fed and Rafa have made comments that suggest as much.
I didn't say the entire season should be cancelled. However, I'm not a big endorser of maneuvering specific key tournaments around just for the sake of playing them. In my opinion, the tennis calendar should not be altered. If a tournament cannot take place in its traditional time slot and venue without major alterations, then it should not be played in 2020.
Yes, I realize the entire world has been thrown off and has been forced to make changes, but tennis is different than the NBA, MLB or European soccer. I believe professional golf has rearranged its schedule to try to play each of its four majors, but even golf isn't a perfect comparison to tennis.
It's a huge deal to suddenly ask players to show up after a six month break and play two grand slams on different continents and different surfaces with virtually no traditional build up tournaments. Perhaps moving the U.S. Open later in the fall and changing the venue to Indian Wells, as one proposal suggested, would make some sense, but again, it would only work if other American hard court events were moved accordingly to lead in to it. Due to climate considerations, that may not be feasible.
Sephiroth
Hall of Fame
For a 1500 point tournament deffo it's stupid they took away bo5 for it.
That's like three quarters worth of slam points
If both USO and RG happen in 2020, there will be one big difference. There will be no linespeople at USO match at all. All line calls will be made by Hawkeye, within a tenth of a second.
Of course RG won't have that option, because of their stubborn refusal to use Hawkeye. So the gas-masked umpire will still have to descend from his high chair, to check the mark, 1.5 meters distanced from the player of course.
My 2 wishes for 2021. USO goes back to using linespeople, with Hawkeye only on backup. RG takes a bold leap into the future by using Hawkeye.
Of course RG won't have that option, because of their stubborn refusal to use Hawkeye. So the gas-masked umpire will still have to descend from his high chair, to check the mark, 1.5 meters distanced from the player of course.
My 2 wishes for 2021. USO goes back to using linespeople, with Hawkeye only on backup. RG takes a bold leap into the future by using Hawkeye.
Beacon Hill
Hall of Fame
2 week mandatory quarantine for anyone entering Canada.
SeeItHitIt
Professional
Play the tournament, please! The ‘pandemic’ (that never was a pandemic) is o-vah (just ask the looters and rioters - or is social distancing just a convenient, political catch phrase?). Before the Floyd death in MN (at the hands of law enforcement a week ago Monday), the media was 24x7 focused on a ‘second wave’ of C19 because of the ‘irresponsible’ behavior people celebrating Memorial Day. Well, as with the partying over Spring Break in FL and TX by ‘irresponsible‘ young people, we’ve got nothing. Nor will we.
Even as employment numbers roll in that ‘aren’t as bad as predicted‘, places like NYC needs some semblance of normalcy. Life is dangerous sport. You can’t always wait until the coast is clear, because it never, ever is. No one gets out of this ting alive. The US Open followed by the college and pro football seasons (and maybe baseball playoffs if the millionaires can stop feuding with the billionaires) will go a long way.
Wash hands often.
Even as employment numbers roll in that ‘aren’t as bad as predicted‘, places like NYC needs some semblance of normalcy. Life is dangerous sport. You can’t always wait until the coast is clear, because it never, ever is. No one gets out of this ting alive. The US Open followed by the college and pro football seasons (and maybe baseball playoffs if the millionaires can stop feuding with the billionaires) will go a long way.
Wash hands often.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
LOL, are they going to provide the Hotel at the border ?? With nightly entertainment ? I know those girls in Canada are super hot
GabeT
G.O.A.T.
Is this a joke? It very much is a pandemic. Employment numbers are beyond terrible
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
How is the situation in NY?
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Virus all gone. We should have the US open like last year. NO Problemo
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Agreed
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