The Random Tennis News Thread

[The Special Juan]

First topic message reminder :

There's not really a thread up for random tennis news that perhaps doesn't require it's own topic.

First of all, it's sad to hear of the death of Brad Drewett, Chief Executive of the ATP. I don't know if anyone's mentioned that and I've missed it.

Secondly, here's an interesting bit of tennis gossip about Evert and Connors: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/04/tennis-connors-evert-idUKL3N0DL05G20130504

[LuvSports!]

I was surprised to see Goffin hitting above the 200kph mark. I think he hit a 206 which is not too far off 130!

[lydian]

Indeed temp21 - I posted a few pics on here a couple of months back, if you want to look back through this thread, showing how he's been gaining muscle. The guy is taking it really seriously and the results are starting to show...the guy is going to start getting a tough to beat reputation at this rate. All he needed was a proper coach and a great attitude to practice...which was eroded by his last coach. I've been banging on about this guy for ages but was told when he was ranked around #100 that he's a lightweight who wont achieve anything. However, I know talent when I see it...this guy takes the ball earlier than just about anyone bar Federer on tour, plus has great court-sense, great movement, a cracking DHBH and as LS posted above a venomous serve to match. He takes time away from players, defends well and attacks early. He's a bit like Davydenko in my opinion but takes the ball earlier. So what's not to like? This guy is the darkest of horses on tour right now and is becoming a threat to anyone he plays...ask Tsonga. He's now 33 out of 35 matches played since Wimbledon, its getting insane...and lost something like only 7 sets.

[JuliusHMarx]

I think it was implied that he was "light of weight", rather than "a lightweight". I guess he seems to have addressed that issue, in terms of becoming more muscular.

[The Special Juan]

Spain have appointed a female Davis Cup captain. As you were.

[The Special Juan]

Nadal's done the right thing by withdrawing from this stupid tennis tournament in Asia at the end of the season. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/29309134

[Calder106]

Nadal's done the right thing by withdrawing from this stupid tennis tournament in Asia at the end of the season.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/29309134

Reports are that Federer is taking his place. Don't know how true these are. I agree it's a stupid tournament. Lets not have any excuses from those who play in it about being tired or carrying injuries early in 2015.

[Born Slippy]

Fed confirmed as in.

[It Must Be Love]

Bit like when Liverpool replaced Suarez with Lambert.

[JuliusHMarx]

You mean replacing a dirty player with a guy with an honest reputation?

[It Must Be Love]

OK bad analogy.

Bit like replacing Sir Alex Ferguson with David Moyes.

[temporary21]

Indeed temp21 - I posted a few pics on here a couple of months back, if you want to look back through this thread, showing how he's been gaining muscle. The guy is taking it really seriously and the results are starting to show...the guy is going to start getting a tough to beat reputation at this rate. All he needed was a proper coach and a great attitude to practice...which was eroded by his last coach. I've been banging on about this guy for ages but was told when he was ranked around #100 that he's a lightweight who wont achieve anything. However, I know talent when I see it...this guy takes the ball earlier than just about anyone bar Federer on tour, plus has great court-sense, great movement, a cracking DHBH and as LS posted above a venomous serve to match. He takes time away from players, defends well and attacks early. He's a bit like Davydenko in my opinion but takes the ball earlier. So what's not to like? This guy is the darkest of horses on tour right now and is becoming a threat to anyone he plays...ask Tsonga. He's now 33 out of 35 matches played since Wimbledon, its getting insane...and lost something like only 7 sets.

Fair dos, one other Lydian. I remember some SSp's commentary a while back, noting how Goffin finished his forehands too low, they were ending at his waist and not over his shoulder. Is that still the case or has he changed that too?

[kingraf]

You mean replacing a dirty player with a guy with an honest reputation?

No replacing a freak outlier for that guy who once did that thing back in those days

[Josiah Maiestas]

A new fake injury imagined by himself and Toe Knee

[kingraf]

A new fake injury imagined by himself and Toe Knee

There is no injury... it's strange that you'd think Nadal is turning down millions, quite literally, so he can fake an injury... He just wants a complete off season.

[The Special Juan]

I don't see why any of the top players need these millions.

[kingraf]

I don't see why any of the top players need these millions.

No money is enough money? Indian tax laws for sports stars are normally quite kind as well. In any case the point wasn't so much the money, as The theory that Nadal turned down easy millions by faking an injury.

[coolpixel]

why is it a stupid tourney?

[The Special Juan]

Because it's only purpose is to money spin in an already crowded calendar.

[temporary21]

Reminds me of the IPL or that breakaway rebel series of cricket that im way too young to remember. Ill hold judgement I guess, but the thing reeks of corporate spin...

[coolpixel]

Right, as if all the other tourneys have some higher calling.

[lydian]

Ok, back on my current fave topic, Goffin. The guy is starting to make himself known for sure around the tennis world, people are really starting to notice and he's gaining a lot of support and fans out there. You've gotta love this pic below after winning the ATP Metz title on Sunday. If that isn't steely driven desire in that face I don't know what is...plus his arms continue to look a whole lot more muscly.


This guy is on the warpath and no-one is safe. No-one. He's by far the most improved tennis player of 2014. This time last year he was 113th and falling, no confidence and a broken wrist needing surgery. That's some turnaround since. Next stop Vienna, then Basel...and this guy is going to cause waves next year. The great thing for all of us is that he's a genuinely exciting player to watch too, very aggressive, takes the ball ridiculously early, defends well, world class DHBH and is now often serving in the 205-210kph territory. Trust me the guy has weapons...ask Tsonga, beaten indoors...it's not grinding & defending away Ferrer style. Until he lost his nerve at having made such a good start he had bagelled Dimitrov in the 1st set at US Open. But his biggest attribute is court positioning and tactics, he's no mug out there. I used to think he'll top around #25 but I'm not so sure anymore, I genuinely think this guy could go very far now, definitely top 15 ability...and slam semis. I'm convinced of it.

All he needed was self belief all along, now he's got it in spades and look at the results coming his way...34/36 matches won...only lost 7 sets in 36 matches...2 ATP titles in 2 months...one on clay, one on indoor hard court showing versatility...one of only 4 players born in the 1990s to win multiple ATP titles...others being Raonic, Dimitrov and Tomic. Oh, and he just cracked the Top 30 this week...26th in ATP race. The stats continue to build. I'm not saying he's the next Federer but talent-wise there are not many better right now. I'm just glad the guy is starting to make the most of the ability I knew he had inside himself after seeing him early in 2012...and he's not finished yet.

[sirfredperry]

Still find very surprising that stat about guys born in the 1990s winning titles. We're nearly half way through this decade, for Pete's sake, yet only four of the 1990 mob have done it.
  Spose the next big stat of this kind will come when a guy, or girl, born in the 21st century wins a match. Just wonder if we'll have to wait until 2024 for more than four of the 21st century-somethings to win titles.

[Born Slippy]

Solid start for Andy today. Lacko next with Gasquet in the SF then looking the likely barrier to ending the 15 month final drought.

[sirfredperry]

Must help Andy that Ferrer is out. He ought to win this now. Still confident he can put in a late-season run.

[The Special Juan]

Poor Daveed. First of all he was beaten by Troicki. Then they interviewed him on the court whilst Troicki gets to walk off!!

[banbrotam]

Looking at the race points situation, it is still very much in Andy's hands

I'd wager that a win here and SF's in the two masters will be enough - realistically there are six players chasing three places, they can't all get lots of points

Needs a win here, though

[Josiah Maiestas]

Andy doing things in the back alleys of China while the main rivals are sipping chianti... groundhog year!

[The Special Juan]

Gasquet's bottled it now. If EVER there was a title for the taking, it's now.

[Born Slippy]

Benneteau into career final number 10. Surely got to win one at some point?

[LuvSports!]

If Nishi gets through surely the odds will be stacked against him.
He will I think be hoping for the Flying Finn who has a pretty poor record in finals too with 2 wins from 10 or so I think. Battle of the worst multi time atp finalists?

[Josiah Maiestas]

Benny can handle Nishi's Banzai BH's. Now Murray <> Robredo could be a titanic battle. Julien take your silverware buddy even at the expense of 1 of my fav's

[The Special Juan]

The China Open draw's been made. Nadal's first match back is against Gasquet so he couldn't really have asked for a better one. Next it will be Karlovic, Ernie and Berdych before playing Djokovic in the final should the projected seedings work out. Djokovic has a lovely draw up until Dimitrov in the QF but he should win that easily. He'll then play Murray in the SF. Mr Murray has Janowicz in the first round but as the BeanPole's not playing that well these days Murray should win. He'll get Cilic in the QFs and one has to wonder if Marin's heart will be in the rest of the year after the USO win.

[The Special Juan]

Early thoughts - one of these players is playing like Andy Murray, the other like Tommy Robredo. Unfortunately it's not who you might think.

[The Special Juan]

Murray's been woeful today whereas Robredo's just been "bad", yet it's one of those matches that's compelling because both players are rubbish.

[The Special Juan]

Ouch, Robredo wins in straights. He'll play much better and get a hiding.

[The Special Juan]

OR DOES HE????????????????????????????????????????????????? Murray saves 5 championship points and wins the TB 11-9 with both men playing some sumptuous tennis.

[The Special Juan]

Bagel?

[The Special Juan]

Robredo ain't moving so well now. I hope he's not injured with Beijing and Shanghai coming up.

[LuvSports!]

The biggest career win for Murray!

[The Special Juan]

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Benneteau served for the first set but predictably choked and lost it on a TB. I'm guessing it won't be "TENneteau" by the end of the day.

[LuvSports!]

7-6 6-4 Oh Benny.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Julien will remain a championship NearlyMan. First set could've been claimed

[The Special Juan]

Errani STAT:

Serves at 91% in the 3rd set of her match. Wins 9% of first serve points.

[sirfredperry]

The Murray win after saving 5 MPs - Andy had five MPs himself against Djoko a couple of years ago and lost but I doubt he's ever saved as many as that and won. Am still confident that Murray will qualify for the 02 and, even if he doesn't, I reckon he'll have a much better year in 2015 than he's had this year.

Latest: More good news for Murray. One of his top-eight rivals, David Ferrer, has just lost his opening match in Tokyo, beaten in final set by Granollers

[Born Slippy]

Touch and go I think for qualification for Andy. I think it is probably 5 players competing for 2 places. If any of them have a run to a Masters final or win one of the 500s that will probably do it (assuming they pick up steady points elsewhere).

Ferrer going out first round in Tokyo is a good result for the other 4 though.

[Josiah Maiestas]

No point qualifying for the tournament with his master Stan being there. Do some gardening instead and work on the serve

[banbrotam]

It's in Murray's hands. I'd back him to get more points in the next few weeks than his rivals for the place

If he does that, he's in

[LuvSports!]

How is it in his hands? If they max it he can't as he's behind simples.

[Born Slippy]

Its in each of their hands surely?

[The Special Juan]

If he wins all points on offer to him then yes, it is. Unlikely, but still...

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