You're missing the Iga Show...........

pabletion

Hall of Fame
I never expected for something like this to happen but, last Thursday early morning, tuned on some Rome action expecting to catch the Iga-Coco match from the get-go, just to see how Hurkacz, playing before them, won the 2nd set of his match, only to tumble on the third, thus extending the waiting time for Iga. And I found myself a bit irritated that I would have to wait for an ATP match to finish, so the WTA girls could get it on!

Been following Iga since she basically made the switch to Tecnifibre (Im a Tec fan) and am just in awe of her progress, and how well shes playing, how comfortable shes looking on clay, and let alone that, how DOMINANT she is becoming. After a thrilling 3 setter, 3 hour match final in Madrid (her first title at the high-altitude clay tournament in Spains capital) against the number 2 player in the world, Sabalenka, she goes through Rome not loosing a set and playing even better tennis. That forehand of hers, that MODERN, unusual (for the WTA) forehand is flying, kicking up the court thanks to the spin she is able to put on the ball, and ripping through her rivals. This and her better-than-ever 2hbh that is just so solid now, and that she is using even much more than before, as an alternate weapon (crosscourt, dtl.... acute angles....). The Rome final, was, in fact, against the number two player in the world, yet again. And again a very high tennis quality match, very fast paced, so curiosly matched, heavy spin against hard flat strokes. This match was not as close as the one in Madrid (maybe conditions favored Iga much more this time?), but nevertheles it was GREAT tennis.
On the other hand, I barely watched the ATP matches this time, watched zero of the semis or even the final.

Maybe its the blues, because of the Big 3, all of that, you know, but maybe it is also because of what is going on at the WTA. It is at the very least, worth a shot, to watch a bit, give them a chance. I for sure am.

Are you all watching too? Anyone?
 
I never expected for something like this to happen but, last Thursday early morning, tuned on some Rome action expecting to catch the Iga-Coco match from the get-go, just to see how Hurkacz, playing before them, won the 2nd set of his match, only to tumble on the third, thus extending the waiting time for Iga. And I found myself a bit irritated that I would have to wait for an ATP match to finish, so the WTA girls could get it on!

Been following Iga since she basically made the switch to Tecnifibre (Im a Tec fan) and am just in awe of her progress, and how well shes playing, how comfortable shes looking on clay, and let alone that, how DOMINANT she is becoming. After a thrilling 3 setter, 3 hour match final in Madrid (her first title at the high-altitude clay tournament in Spains capital) against the number 2 player in the world, Sabalenka, she goes through Rome not loosing a set and playing even better tennis. That forehand of hers, that MODERN, unusual (for the WTA) forehand is flying, kicking up the court thanks to the spin she is able to put on the ball, and ripping through her rivals. This and her better-than-ever 2hbh that is just so solid now, and that she is using even much more than before, as an alternate weapon (crosscourt, dtl.... acute angles....). The Rome final, was, in fact, against the number two player in the world, yet again. And again a very high tennis quality match, very fast paced, so curiosly matched, heavy spin against hard flat strokes. This match was not as close as the one in Madrid (maybe conditions favored Iga much more this time?), but nevertheles it was GREAT tennis.
On the other hand, I barely watched the ATP matches this time, watched zero of the semis or even the final.

Maybe its the blues, because of the Big 3, all of that, you know, but maybe it is also because of what is going on at the WTA. It is at the very least, worth a shot, to watch a bit, give them a chance. I for sure am.

Are you all watching too? Anyone?
I stopped watching the WTA a few years ago, because I got sick of all of the Osaka / BLM crap. Haven't tuned in since.
 
other than aryna and elena, and sometimes the odd players here and there, she's simply too far ahead and makes her matches really boring, not her fault tho.
 
I stopped watching the WTA a few years ago, because I got sick of all of the Osaka / BLM crap. Haven't tuned in since.

Well that one is nowhere to be found... AND one of the things I MOSTLY enjoy about this girl Iga is that she is DRAMA FREE. Just a regular girl, hasnt been bitten by a progressive-political wing w an agenda yet, she's just playing tennis.

Shes playing some tennis, check her out.
 
I never expected for something like this to happen but, last Thursday early morning, tuned on some Rome action expecting to catch the Iga-Coco match from the get-go, just to see how Hurkacz, playing before them, won the 2nd set of his match, only to tumble on the third, thus extending the waiting time for Iga. And I found myself a bit irritated that I would have to wait for an ATP match to finish, so the WTA girls could get it on!

Been following Iga since she basically made the switch to Tecnifibre (Im a Tec fan) and am just in awe of her progress, and how well shes playing, how comfortable shes looking on clay, and let alone that, how DOMINANT she is becoming. After a thrilling 3 setter, 3 hour match final in Madrid (her first title at the high-altitude clay tournament in Spains capital) against the number 2 player in the world, Sabalenka, she goes through Rome not loosing a set and playing even better tennis. That forehand of hers, that MODERN, unusual (for the WTA) forehand is flying, kicking up the court thanks to the spin she is able to put on the ball, and ripping through her rivals. This and her better-than-ever 2hbh that is just so solid now, and that she is using even much more than before, as an alternate weapon (crosscourt, dtl.... acute angles....). The Rome final, was, in fact, against the number two player in the world, yet again. And again a very high tennis quality match, very fast paced, so curiosly matched, heavy spin against hard flat strokes. This match was not as close as the one in Madrid (maybe conditions favored Iga much more this time?), but nevertheles it was GREAT tennis.
On the other hand, I barely watched the ATP matches this time, watched zero of the semis or even the final.

Maybe its the blues, because of the Big 3, all of that, you know, but maybe it is also because of what is going on at the WTA. It is at the very least, worth a shot, to watch a bit, give them a chance. I for sure am.

Are you all watching too? Anyone?
without a doubt...cared way more about the women than men at these recent tournaments
 
Well that one is nowhere to be found... AND one of the things I MOSTLY enjoy about this girl Iga is that she is DRAMA FREE. Just a regular girl, hasnt been bitten by a progressive-political wing w an agenda yet, she's just playing tennis.

Shes playing some tennis, check her out.
I suspect her leanings aren’t that way. Coco definitely doesn’t seem to lean that way. That’s why she’s not a darling for Disney.
 
The Madrid final between Sabalenka and Swiatek however was insanely competitive and they really are the best 2 players in the world. Great time to enjoy women's tennis.
No Madrid was phenomenal of course I was just making a note of the weird streak going on in Rome, I just don’t understand what’s been happening there. Lots of dominations and retirements multiple years in a row
 
No Madrid was phenomenal of course I was just making a note of the weird streak going on in Rome, I just don’t understand what’s been happening there. Lots of dominations and retirements multiple years in a row
Swiatek is just an insane beast in Rome. I mean to double bagel Pliskova in that final 3 years ago had me in awe. K Plish isn't the greatest but she's a former #1 who is damn good when she's playing well.
 
Are you all watching too? Anyone?
I've always watched the WTA since I was a kid starting with the Evert-Navratilova rivalry and continuing to present day. I've never understood some people's disdain for women's tennis. There was a period when the Big 3 (or 4) started thriving and Serena had no competition after 2007 when I much preferred the ATP to the WTA, but otherwise, I've always watched them equally. Iga is clearly the best player since Serena stopped winning slams in 2017, and we finally seem to have a relatively stable top 4 players with Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina, and Gauff who are starting to generate interesting rivalries. On the verge of turning 23, Iga may well not have reached her peak yet.

Well that one is nowhere to be found... AND one of the things I MOSTLY enjoy about this girl Iga is that she is DRAMA FREE. Just a regular girl, hasnt been bitten by a progressive-political wing w an agenda yet, she's just playing tennis.
Iga is not apolitical. She is a big supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, and has been raising money to help Ukraine.
 
You stopped watching an ENTIRE sport because one player spoke about BLM? That's pretty pathetic.

You're missing out on fantastic tennis from Sabalenka to Swiatek to Gauff to Rybakina all because Osaka said something 3 years ago? Grow up, move on and just watch the game.
It wasn't just that. It was the Djokovic deportation drama and all of that other political crap that was swirling around back in 2020-22.

Osaka was a part of that. But so was the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. It seemed like the grand slams were trying to force their political agenda on their audience.

And that is where I draw the line.
 
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I'm not able to watch as much tennis as I'd like but I am definitely a fan of Iga. Other than being a great player, I don't like Saba whatsoever, but they are building a great rivalry. With Rybakina, Gauff and other threats, it's a good tour.
 
You stopped watching an ENTIRE sport because one player spoke about BLM? That's pretty pathetic.

You're missing out on fantastic tennis from Sabalenka to Swiatek to Gauff to Rybakina all because Osaka said something 3 years ago? Grow up, move on and just watch the game.
I couldn't watch Rome because there isn't equal prize money
 
She’s a very difficult watch. Fearsome clay forehand, excellent mover, great talent, but not a likable player on court whatsoever.

Uses so much gamesmanship.

For example vs Gauff. 40-40, takes a fall. Makes a huge show of it, goes and rinses her hands off, fine, but then takes a completely unnecessary water break… 45+ seconds elapse, no time violation, Gauff’s focus is broken, double fault.

And then add that to the net antics… she’s painfully anxious between points, she isn’t a fun watch.

But the talent is undeniable.
 
She's been at the very top of the game for 2 years now - an excellent player, as much as some might like to deny it.

Massive favourite to win a 4th crown at RG, will take something special to stop her on clay in particular. I wonder if she will figure out the grass at some point in the next couple of years
 
I never expected for something like this to happen but, last Thursday early morning, tuned on some Rome action expecting to catch the Iga-Coco match from the get-go, just to see how Hurkacz, playing before them, won the 2nd set of his match, only to tumble on the third, thus extending the waiting time for Iga. And I found myself a bit irritated that I would have to wait for an ATP match to finish, so the WTA girls could get it on!

Been following Iga since she basically made the switch to Tecnifibre (Im a Tec fan) and am just in awe of her progress, and how well shes playing, how comfortable shes looking on clay, and let alone that, how DOMINANT she is becoming. After a thrilling 3 setter, 3 hour match final in Madrid (her first title at the high-altitude clay tournament in Spains capital) against the number 2 player in the world, Sabalenka, she goes through Rome not loosing a set and playing even better tennis. That forehand of hers, that MODERN, unusual (for the WTA) forehand is flying, kicking up the court thanks to the spin she is able to put on the ball, and ripping through her rivals. This and her better-than-ever 2hbh that is just so solid now, and that she is using even much more than before, as an alternate weapon (crosscourt, dtl.... acute angles....). The Rome final, was, in fact, against the number two player in the world, yet again. And again a very high tennis quality match, very fast paced, so curiosly matched, heavy spin against hard flat strokes. This match was not as close as the one in Madrid (maybe conditions favored Iga much more this time?), but nevertheles it was GREAT tennis.
On the other hand, I barely watched the ATP matches this time, watched zero of the semis or even the final.

Maybe its the blues, because of the Big 3, all of that, you know, but maybe it is also because of what is going on at the WTA. It is at the very least, worth a shot, to watch a bit, give them a chance. I for sure am.

Are you all watching too? Anyone?
I would've watched it if Foxtel did not get rid of WTA tennis. I used to watch both ATP and WTA on Foxtel, but now everything can only be watched on streaming services so I only get Tennis TV ATP, not BeIn WTA streaming.
 
Both Iga and Marin ( in badminton) are great players but their gamesmanship is questionable at times. Watch both of them for their display of talent. Though not a fan
 
I’ve been really enjoying the Rybakina / Sabalenka / Swiatek show and long may it continue. Swiatek is clearly a generational talent on clay and may go down as the women’s clay GOAT one day. But she’s good enough on hard court, and the others are good enough on clay, that they can still score wins over each other on the other’s favourite surface. There is no match where the result is 100% set in stone before watching which is nice

Plus I prefer all of them to Serena / Sharapova etc, the lack of bad grunting from Swiatek and Rybakina and the general lack of arrogant princess stuff from the newer gen compared to those two is refreshing
 
She’s a very difficult watch. Fearsome clay forehand, excellent mover, great talent, but not a likable player on court whatsoever.

Uses so much gamesmanship.

For example vs Gauff. 40-40, takes a fall. Makes a huge show of it, goes and rinses her hands off, fine, but then takes a completely unnecessary water break… 45+ seconds elapse, no time violation, Gauff’s focus is broken, double fault.

And then add that to the net antics… she’s painfully anxious between points, she isn’t a fun watch.

But the talent is undeniable.
I suppose tennis wasn't satisfied with just having a GOAT level clay courter with gamesmanship up the wazoo only on the men's side. Similarly, her modest, down to Earth off-court manner probably works as an unconscious smoke-screen for the whatever-it-takes hindrances and stall-tactics. It's a shame because I otherwise like her almost frenetically aggressive ethos in the points.
 
I am thankful for this thread. I have added more
Speaking of ramming politics down our throats, the red hat idiots can't control themselves and have to insert their politics every time they speak. Either discuss tennis or GTFO.
Rent free
 
She’s a very difficult watch. Fearsome clay forehand, excellent mover, great talent, but not a likable player on court whatsoever.

Uses so much gamesmanship.

For example vs Gauff. 40-40, takes a fall. Makes a huge show of it, goes and rinses her hands off, fine, but then takes a completely unnecessary water break… 45+ seconds elapse, no time violation, Gauff’s focus is broken, double fault.

And then add that to the net antics… she’s painfully anxious between points, she isn’t a fun watch.

But the talent is undeniable.
I like her, but I also understand the criticisms.
For me, her pros greatly outweigh her cons.

As you mentioned, her game is terrific -- she's one of the best ball strikers and also one of the best movers/athletes on tour.
She plays a smart game, and is mentally tough.

The cons (as you also mentioned) are that, I also think she has crossed the line here and there with distracting opponents (I hope she has stopped that) and she doesn't really let the fans in during a match. All business and a seemingly perma-stressed expression on her face.

I overlook the cons as not only do I really like her game, but I've enjoyed her in every interview I've seen. She comes off as smart and thoughtful, and also introverted. And she (like Coco and Ryba and UNLIKE Saba) play quietly.
Not predicting this, but if you told me a top player would retire early to pursue something in academia, I would think of her as a possibility.
 
Speaking of ramming politics down our throats, the red hat idiots can't control themselves and have to insert their politics every time they speak. Either discuss tennis or GTFO.
You are completely right here, but hope you tell the same to Aussie Darcy who loves to derail threads with tennis unrelated stuff.
 
I never expected for something like this to happen but, last Thursday early morning, tuned on some Rome action expecting to catch the Iga-Coco match from the get-go, just to see how Hurkacz, playing before them, won the 2nd set of his match, only to tumble on the third, thus extending the waiting time for Iga. And I found myself a bit irritated that I would have to wait for an ATP match to finish, so the WTA girls could get it on!

Been following Iga since she basically made the switch to Tecnifibre (Im a Tec fan) and am just in awe of her progress, and how well shes playing, how comfortable shes looking on clay, and let alone that, how DOMINANT she is becoming. After a thrilling 3 setter, 3 hour match final in Madrid (her first title at the high-altitude clay tournament in Spains capital) against the number 2 player in the world, Sabalenka, she goes through Rome not loosing a set and playing even better tennis. That forehand of hers, that MODERN, unusual (for the WTA) forehand is flying, kicking up the court thanks to the spin she is able to put on the ball, and ripping through her rivals. This and her better-than-ever 2hbh that is just so solid now, and that she is using even much more than before, as an alternate weapon (crosscourt, dtl.... acute angles....). The Rome final, was, in fact, against the number two player in the world, yet again. And again a very high tennis quality match, very fast paced, so curiosly matched, heavy spin against hard flat strokes. This match was not as close as the one in Madrid (maybe conditions favored Iga much more this time?), but nevertheles it was GREAT tennis.
On the other hand, I barely watched the ATP matches this time, watched zero of the semis or even the final.

Maybe its the blues, because of the Big 3, all of that, you know, but maybe it is also because of what is going on at the WTA. It is at the very least, worth a shot, to watch a bit, give them a chance. I for sure am.

Are you all watching too? Anyone?
At this point, she's the only constant in either of the 2 tours. We talk about Alcaraz and Sinner, but Iga has been more consistent and more dominant than anything we've seen on either tour for a while. Overwhelming favorite at RG and she's only 22.

That said, I wonder what goes through Ash Barty's mind when she tunes in, seeing Iga dominating the way she used to before hanging it up.
 
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Yup. WTA has been the more exciting side of tennis for years now, though with Alcaraz and Sinner, with a host of other young players things are finally getting interesting for the ATP too.

But you won't find many self-identified manly men watching or talking about the WTA. Too threatening to their ego...somehow.
I enjoy WTA more than ATP. I much prefer watching women perspire than men sweating.
 
She’s a very difficult watch. Fearsome clay forehand, excellent mover, great talent, but not a likable player on court whatsoever.

Uses so much gamesmanship.

For example vs Gauff. 40-40, takes a fall. Makes a huge show of it, goes and rinses her hands off, fine, but then takes a completely unnecessary water break… 45+ seconds elapse, no time violation, Gauff’s focus is broken, double fault.

And then add that to the net antics… she’s painfully anxious between points, she isn’t a fun watch.

But the talent is undeniable.
Yes I'm sure Gauff would've easily win like the other 11 times they played if she didn't have to deal with "gamesmanship"
 
Yup. WTA has been the more exciting side of tennis for years now, though with Alcaraz and Sinner, with a host of other young players things are finally getting interesting for the ATP too.

But you won't find many self-identified manly men watching or talking about the WTA. Too threatening to their ego...somehow.
Spot on as usual :D
 
I like her, but I also understand the criticisms.
For me, her pros greatly outweigh her cons.

As you mentioned, her game is terrific -- she's one of the best ball strikers and also one of the best movers/athletes on tour.
She plays a smart game, and is mentally tough.

The cons (as you also mentioned) are that, I also think she has crossed the line here and there with distracting opponents (I hope she has stopped that) and she doesn't really let the fans in during a match. All business and a seemingly perma-stressed expression on her face.

I overlook the cons as not only do I really like her game, but I've enjoyed her in every interview I've seen. She comes off as smart and thoughtful, and also introverted. And she (like Coco and Ryba and UNLIKE Saba) play quietly.
Not predicting this, but if you told me a top player would retire early to pursue something in academia, I would think of her as a possibility.

I personally think all this talk about her poor gamesmanship is blown out of proportion. I agree her hand gesturing was way too much and I havent seen her do it ever again (and she did it like three times, its not like she used to do it all the time).

Remember Pete? All the media said he was like no carisma, only TCB. At the end, top athletes are all about that. To get the whole package (top athlete plus charisma) its just such a rare occurance...

She does come as an introvert, a shy girl, and these years on the spotlight have brought out of her a somewhat fun personality, shes not at all comfortable with the spotlight, but it seems shes getting used to it. She is still like an akward bug though, sometimes. Hey, no one is going to be everyones cup of tea!

What I see w her and the media is that she is too 'bland' for the perfect tv star: shes not controversial, nor a bully, she doesnt seem to have a fierce rivalry with anyone, no feuds... And the media loves that. If only Ostapenko made her way back to the top 5, and would be there in between the mix of Iga, Rybakina, Sabalenka and herself! Theres a personality (plus for the time being, shes got Igas number....).

Yes the media doesnt just want great tennis, they want a story, a soap opera, drama, etc.... Iga is just too nice of a girl to be a star in the States, its seems to me.

And maybe that hurts the WTA too, because theyre not celebrating her tennis and dominance....
 
I often watch her highlights and have seen her live at the AO and it's not that great of a show tbh. She's a fantastic player but not really fun or compelling to watch, see @Kralingen 's reasoning above regarding her demeanour on court. I think her stroke mechanics/spin hitting style play into this too. I tend to enjoy watching players who naturally hit more through the court and thus play well on quicker surfaces, more than those that have a more high margin style.

The recent Madrid final with Sabalenka was an awesome watch though. A real tussle.
 
At this point, she's the only constant in either of the 2 tours. We talk about Alcaraz and Sinner, but Iga has been more consistent and more dominant than anything we've seen on either tour for a while. Overwhelming favorite at RG and she's only 22.

That said, I wonder what goes through Ash Barty's mind when she tunes in, seeing Iga dominating the way she used to before hanging it up.
The queen of clay will turn 23 on May 31.
The Polish player seeks to emulate Justin Henin and become the second player of the 21st century to win three consecutive RG titles and 4 overall.
The little Belgian player won for the first time on the Paris clay in 2003 and then won three trophies in a row between 2005 and 2007.
8-B
 
WTA players are definitely the most ungracious and unlikable women in the world, the opposite of women's golf.

Why is BLM crap? I am not even black but i fully supported that movement. It's a whole other thing that the movement stopped after a fuss of a few months which was very sad to see
That's why BLM is crap, its a fake "movement" and caused nothing but damage....
“The arson, vandalism and looting... will result in at least $1 billion to $2 billion of paid insurance claims,” Axios reports. “[This will] eclips[e] the record set in Los Angeles in 1992 after the acquittal of the police officers who brutalized Rodney King.”
https://fee.org/articles/george-flo...says-here-s-why-the-true-cost-is-even-higher/

...and they have a large presence on this board.
Which members are racist?
How about naming them...
Or are you just projecting?
 
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