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

[Born Slippy]

Edmund into his first challenger final. Faces Millman (who beat Ward last week). Already top 200 which means there are now 4 Brits in the top 200. I can't recall when that was last the case.

Ward is currently sitting at 100 in the live rankings despite not playing this week. He needs Sela to lose his SF today to make the top 100 for the first time.

[Guest]

The ATP has announced Geneva to host a 250 event from 2015.

http://m.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/11/47/Geneva-Announcement.aspx

[laverfan]

LK... I have better news. Stuttgart-on-grass has been inaugurated.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/11/47/Haas-Inaugurates-Stuttgart-Grass.aspx

PS:

Ion Tiriac & Rainer Schuettler, Tournament Owners, said, "Geneva is a beautiful city and the Tennis Club de Genève is the most traditional Club situated in the wonderful Parc des Eaux-Vives.

I am glad to see Schuettler make a successful transition to being a TD/Owner.

[Guest]

:woot: some more grass!

It's what the tour badly needs.

[The Special Juan]

JC Ferrero will be caddying for Garcia in a tournament in Thailand next week. If that's not random tennis news, I don't know what is.

[Silver]

So the season ended today - but not just in France. Diego Schwartzman (22) won the Challenger Tour Finals and climbs to #70 in the world. And he really does have to climb, given he's the shortest player in the top 100 (5'7). Congrats

By all accounts, these Tour Finals were far more entertaining than the main event! Multiple MP-saving performances, including from Schwartzman himself in the RR stage to make the SFs.

[The Special Juan]

As utterly ridiculous as this whole tournament is, Monfils appears to be loving it. If all tournaments were like this, he'd be the man to beat.

[Silver]

As utterly ridiculous as this whole tournament is, Monfils appears to be loving it.  If all tournaments were like this, he'd be the man to beat.

It really is. A whole fortnight off the off-season taken up with this rubbish. I know there's a load of money on offer, but still.

Do my eyes deceive me, or is Stan not there? Good man. He'll be in better nick than the rest of them come the AO, now.

[Calder106]

Never thought this was a good tournament from the time it was mooted and as a Murray supporter was disappointed that he signed up. I do see however that he is only participating this weekend before flying to Miami for his winter training block. I would still have preferred if he had take a bit more time off.

[The Special Juan]

As utterly ridiculous as this whole tournament is, Monfils appears to be loving it.  If all tournaments were like this, he'd be the man to beat.

It really is. A whole fortnight off the off-season taken up with this rubbish. I know there's a load of money on offer, but still.

Do my eyes deceive me, or is Stan not there? Good man. He'll be in better nick than the rest of them come the AO, now.

I think Stan's played a blinder here. To me, he's a 5-8 tier player along with the likes of Berdych, Tsonga, Ferrer, Nishikori etc but where Berdych, Tsonga and Cilic are playing, he is not.

[HM Murdock]

On 26th December, John Bercow (Speaker of the House of Commons) is guest editing BBC R4's Today programme.

He will be interviewing Roger Federer about pushy tennis parents and "staying motivated in old age".

How bizarre.

[bogbrush]

I'm hoping this heralds the poison dwarf having to cultivate another career.

[bogbrush]

This ITPL thing is an abomination.

"Mavericks", ffs.

[Guest]

The ITPL is a sack of crap. Turned it on and hardly anyone there.

whoever thought there was commercial interest in this needs shooting!

[lags72]

On 26th December, John Bercow (Speaker of the House of Commons) is guest editing BBC R4's Today programme.

He will be interviewing Roger Federer about pushy tennis parents and "staying motivated in old age".

How bizarre.

HMM - not quite as bizarre as it may seem.

In terms of his role as Speaker, and his overall performance in the Commons, I think he is both incompetent and a thoroughly unpleasant character (I believe he speaks well of me too ..... )

However ...... as far as tennis goes ..... credit where credit is due. I can remember hearing him on radio earlier this year, discussing a book he has written ('Tennis Maestros') when I learnt - much to my surprise - that he was actually once ranked Britain's Number One Junior !

More here
http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/more-news/speaker-serves-up-lesson-to-young-champ-1-6394735

[lags72]

The ITPL is a sack of crap. Turned it on and hardly anyone there.

whoever thought there was commercial interest in this needs shooting!

What exactly is this ITPL thing of which you speak .....??? ....

[It Must Be Love]

On 26th December, John Bercow (Speaker of the House of Commons) is guest editing BBC R4's Today programme.

He will be interviewing Roger Federer about pushy tennis parents and "staying motivated in old age".

How bizarre.

John Bercow is a good speaker of the house, I like the guy. Could be an interesting interview.

[HM Murdock]

However ...... as far as tennis goes ..... credit where credit is due. I can remember hearing him on radio earlier this year, discussing a book he has written ('Tennis Maestros') when I learnt - much to my surprise - that he was actually once ranked Britain's Number One Junior !

More here
http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/more-news/speaker-serves-up-lesson-to-young-champ-1-6394735

I didn't know that! Wow, that's a surprise.

Could be an alright interview then but I'm sure he will do his best I make himself the focus of the interview!

[Silver]

John Bercow is a good speaker of the house, I like the guy.

Said no-one ever

[The Special Juan]

I know more about Sally than John. Isn't that sad?

Is anyone really going to tune into that on Boxing Day? It would be much funnier if it was live.

"What are you doing on Boxing Day, your GOATness?" ask staff. "Will you be relaxing at home or will you be jetting out to Dubai for a training block?"

"No, I will be co-hosting a show on Radio 4," sneers Roger.

[lags72]

Hey TSJ, I imagine that's pretty much exactly how the conversation will go between His Holiness RF and his flunkies .....!

As for the interview itself, we can fully expect - as HMM says - that Bercow will indeed do his best to make himself the focus.

Mind you, there is likely to be a fair bit of grovelling from Bercow too ; I came across this comment in a review of his book 'Tennis Maestros' .......

"He vividly recalls the one and only time he met the player he reckons is the greatest ever. Knowing he had to reach the O2 Centre in London's Docklands by 5.45pm if he was to meet Federer* before he went on court, he spent the afternoon desperately hoping the visiting Head of State who was to address Parliament would keep it brief.

Thankfully, the President of South Korea obliged, sitting down after just 10 minutes."

(*hope IMBL doesn't read this ; he might not like Bercow quite as much as he did ....... )

[The Special Juan]

Fabrice has still got "it".

https://youtu.be/_7rWTfmUB64?t=2m45s

[Silver]

I miss Fabrice

Random stat of the day: Nobody has won the AO and RG in the same year since Courier in '92. It was only done thrice before that (Wilander, Laver x2). Even Rafa couldn't do it in '09 when he won the AO.

[Guest]

This will no doubt cheer up fans of Del Potro

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/11/48/Brisbane-2015-Del-Potro-Returns.aspx

[Jahu]

Best news to start 2015

[slashermcguirk]

Toni nadal....usually one who likes to attract attention

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Toni-Novak-Djokovic-a-Better-Player-Than-Rafael-Nadal-And-Federer-articolo21423.html

[HM Murdock]

Toni nadal....usually one who likes to attract attention

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Toni-Novak-Djokovic-a-Better-Player-Than-Rafael-Nadal-And-Federer-articolo21423.html

Interesting.

When Alex Ferguson said things like that, it was described as mind games!

Also, does anyone else think it a bit odd that Toni refers to Novak as 'The Serb' in a spoken sentence though? It's the kind of thing that appears in a written article but it sounds a bit weird in dialogue! (I'm not reading any subtext into it, it just struck me as unusual).

[Haddie-nuff]

What else is Uncle T any use for these days.. he has already said that Rafa doesn't listen to him  any more and  now makes his own decisions.

I think Rafa deserves more loyalty from him than that..what he thinks is not necessarily what he should say.

Frankly Im not surprised at anything he says tbh HMM

[Jahu]

Toni is right, Djoko is a better all around player then Nadal, plus Djoko plays full-time tennis

[Haddie-nuff]

You cant help yourself can you Jahu ? Uncle T coaching you is he?

[slashermcguirk]

I do admire Toni's honesty though. He has done an amazing job with rafa, will be interesting to see how nadal gets on with his return. If 2013 is anything to go by, he will be back winning shortly.

Really looking forward to the 2015 season, nice to see del potro coming back, hope the wrists stay healthy. Will be fascinating to see how the likes of nishikori, cilic and wawrinka back up 2014. Also federer pushing on for one last slam

[Haddie-nuff]

If you want Toni's honesty then it obviously depends on what article you read .. the one I read says

On Djokovic, Uncle Toni said:

“He’s a great player, for me is a player almost up to Federer. It’s great, do not know if it’s better or worse than Rafael. For titles, Rafael is better than him. What game do not know, but in the end, everyone who believes what he wants. It is perfectly right. ”

[Jahu]

HN, Toni got this right, admit it?

And no one, not even Rafa can dispute that, let alone you

[Henman Bill]

Comments, or how they've been reported, seem a bit odd to me.

If you are talking about "greatness" or titles then Federer>Nadal>Djokovic however if we are talking in an absolute sense about who was the better player at their peak, or at the moment, then it's probably Djokovic>Nadal>Federer.

I don't quite see how you can have Djokovic above Nadal and yet below Federer. Toni ignores titles to put Djokovic above Nadal but cites titles to put Federer ahead of both. Rather a nonsense really, maybe it's some kind of psychology or downplaying or mind games?

[sirfredperry]

Very good news about del Potty. Am sure most people will wish him well. Twould be good to see him have a good, injury-free period just to see how high he can climb.

[lags72]

Agreed sfp.

He has been badly missed.

He may not go into (the bigger) tournaments as outright favourite but - at his best - Delpo is capable of stopping anyone in their tracks. And sometimes, with ruthless efficiency.

Welcome back JMDP

[HM Murdock]

When it's 'on', JMDP's forehand is still my favourite shot to watch.

I'm glad he's back.

[Silver]

So are the top players rationing their participation at this Indian League thing? Murray only there for a few days, no sign of Novak yet (?), Federer playing Dubai but not sure about any of the other venues.

[Haddie-nuff]

Welcome back Delpo

[biugo]

Not news, but truly random. For those annoyed with the Djoko dance moves, they might find comfort that Federer is not mimicking it!
Federer dancing gif (on Vine)

[temporary21]

Man remember when Djoko was more known for imitating players? That felt soo long ago...

[biugo]

Good times
(is there a similarity to observe with other crowd pleasers who kept doing it rather than focusing on performing?)

[Haddie-nuff]

Not news, but truly random. For those annoyed with the Djoko dance moves, they might find comfort that Federer is not mimicking it!
Federer dancing gif (on Vine)

I can only say that Im glad Roger didnt give up his day job

[LuvSports!]

My dad would be proud of those moves.
Like this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zQ-J49cv6E

[Silver]

Navratilova joins Radwanska's coaching team!

[Guest]

Just reading an article that Oli Golding has actually retired from the game.

What a shame.

[bogbrush]

When it's 'on', JMDP's forehand is still my favourite shot to watch.

I'm glad he's back.

I still can't work out how Federer got out of that 2009 RG semi-final against him. JMDP's forehand was tearing the cover off that day and he played far better than he did in the USO final later that year.

[HM Murdock]

When it's 'on', JMDP's forehand is still my favourite shot to watch.

I'm glad he's back.

I still can't work out how Federer got out of that 2009 RG semi-final against him. JMDP's forehand was tearing the cover off that day and he played far better than he did in the USO final later that year.

A calm, clear mind got him through that one.

Exactly what deserted him 3 months later in New York.

[Guest]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/33682523

Well this isn't surprising. What the LTA need is someone that works well within the structure of the role and continue Brett's good work.

[LuvSports!]

Feds out of Montreal

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