The (Unofficial) Pre French Open Thread

#1
kidbourbon

kidbourbon

Disgusting!
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#1
We've got good Master's Series action going on in the roughly 7 weeks until the French Open. Perhaps this can be a tennis oriented running thread until the (Unofficial) French Open thread goes up, yes?

Potential topics for discussion:
(1) Is John Isner now a threat to win a major?
(2) Is Roger Federer really back this time, or have we seen this before?
(3) Rafa and his pesky knees.
(3a) Can Fed catch Rafa for #2.
(4) The rise of Victoria Azarenka.
(5) Did you know that Grigor Dimitrov is banging Serena?
(5a) If you're a white guy (I am), and you knew Serena was into white dudes, would you have been trying to smash that?
(5b) Well, why in the hell did you assume she wasn't into white dudes? Venus was. And even if Venus wasnt'....
(6) Murray is now 11-1 with Lendl as his coach. Can he make a legitimate breakthrough?
(6a) Can Murray catch Fed for #3?
(7) Is Djokovic going to be able to sustain/maintain the status quo that is his current level of play and dominance?
(8) Is Novak Djokovic playing tennis at a higher level than it has ever been played before?
(9) Is Delpo going to make breakthrough #2 this spring/summer?
(10) Why is Robin Soderling such a damn woman?
(11) Why is Donald Young regressing after he had a promising end to the 2011?
(12) Does Rory smash other girls on the side, or his he exclusive to Caroline?
(13) Does Carolina get smashed on the side, or is she exclusive to Rory?
(14) Are there any females in Serbia that Djokovic couldn't have?
(14a) I realize his girlfriend is hot, but if the answer to the above is "yes", I wonder if he is doing some smashing on the side?
(15) If Rafa goes into the clay court season healthy, is he still the king of clay?
(16) Are there any spanish girls Rafa couldn't have?
(16a) I realize his girl is hot, but if the answer to the above is "yes", I wonder if he is doing some smashing on the side?
(17) Rhyne Williams made it into the Indian Wells masters and is on the Davis Cup squad...(as a practice partner)
(18) When will Rhyne get his first W in a match in the main draw of a masters-level tourney or major? This year?
(19) Sandgren won another futures event (that makes three). Can he make the jump to playing with the big boys? What is his upside compared to Rhyne?
(20) I read Rafa's book and enjoyed it. Now I'm going to read the new book that is out on Marcelo Rios. I was a huge fan of Rios, and maintain that he is the best player who never won a major. His career was cut short by injuries, but his game was silky smooth.

That's a good start.
 
#2
#2
(1) Is John Isner now a threat to win a major?
I don't see Isner as a threat to win a major, but I do see him as a threat to go deep in upcoming majors in the foreseeable future. No way he can get past quarter/semi/final with Djoker, Rafa, Federer, and Murray (all or some) in the mix.
(2) Is Roger Federer really back this time, or have we seen this before?
Federer never went anywhere. Ok, he went off the reservation in 2008-2009 for a bit. Otherwise, he has gone deep in all of the majors. In 2011, he played a great AO until he ran into Djoker in an historic season. That was a close match despite the score. He takes out Djoker at the FO and plays his best match against Rafa at RG ever in a losing effort, W lets a two set lead against Tsonga evaporate -- all credit to Tsonga for blasting him off the court, and has two match points against Djoker at the USO semi. Has had an outstanding start to 2012. We'll see.
(3) Rafa and his pesky knees.
This is the biggest question in the game of tennis right now. I think a lot of Rafa's present problems are mental, a la, Federer 2008. Rafa's biggest injury is that Djoker has hurt his feelings. However, if I'm wrong and Rafa's knee issues are coming back, the question is "how much longer does he have in pro tennis?" It is simply a shocking proposition to consider. I'll believe it when he announces his retirement this summer. Otherwise, I say it is just another Rafa mindgame. (See devastating knee injury day before AO this year that miraculously cured in time for him to get to finals and play epic 5 hour match.
(3a) Can Fed catch Rafa for #2.
Yes, but I think it depends on how much -- if at all -- Rafa's game drops off this year. In other words, it depends on Rafa and not Federer.
(4) The rise of Victoria Azarenka.
Who cares.
(5) Did you know that Grigor Dimitrov is banging Serena?
Jesus. Now that is an extreme training regimine. Is this for real?
(5a) If you're a white guy (I am), and you knew Serena was into white dudes, would you have been trying to smash that?
No chance, but she was looking fine when she played that exo with Roddick in Knoxville.
(5b) Well, why in the hell did you assume she wasn't into white dudes? Venus was. And even if Venus wasnt'....
Venus dated a white golfer, right?
(6) Murray is now 11-1 with Lendl as his coach. Can he make a legitimate breakthrough?
As you know from my past posts during your slam threads, Murray is a complete frustration. I always say that one day will be Murray's day at a slam. But I wouldn't put any money on it.
(6a) Can Murray catch Fed for #3?
Too soon to tell, but not at the rate Federer is winning right now.
(7) Is Djokovic going to be able to sustain/maintain the status quo that is his current level of play and dominance?
I say "no way" and that is no slight against Djoker who is playing at a ridiculous level even this year. I think Djoker has no problem with the fact that he is not going to win like last year. There was a quote early in the season where after a loss Djoker asked his coach "Remind me again why it's important for me to win all these tournaments again this year?" He's not complacent, but rather realistic. And his cross-court forehand is such a beautiful thing to see these days. The most dominant shot in tennis when it's on.
(8) Is Novak Djokovic playing tennis at a higher level than it has ever been played before?
Not even close. Federer in 2004-2006 was not of this earth. It is easy to forget because he is so beatable these days. It was that good. If Djoker can sustain this present level, then maybe it can be said he has played at the highest level ever. But too soon.
(9) Is Delpo going to make breakthrough #2 this spring/summer?
I hope so. I like Delpo. I saw him practicing two years before he was a "name" player and I could see he was a step above others around him. I kept wondering why I had never heard of this guy. Two years later, he is holding the hardware in New York. My fav Delpo match is his loss to RF during the 2009 semis of the French. That was a great match in a losing effort.
(10) Why is Robin Soderling such a damn woman?
Soderling is only yoking.
(11) Why is Donald Young regressing after he had a promising end to the 2011?
He is only a story because he is not white.
(12) Does Rory smash other girls on the side, or his he exclusive to Caroline?
Wait, Rory isn't a girl?
(13) Does Carolina get smashed on the side, or is she exclusive to Rory?
I think her relationship with Rory answers all questions about her.
(14) Are there any females in Serbia that Djokovic couldn't have?
I think Djoker prefers his women without whiskers.
(14a) I realize his girlfriend is hot, but if the answer to the above is "yes", I wonder if he is doing some smashing on the side?
He is too busy being king of the world at the moment. He may smash a little when he is on the seniors tour.
(15) If Rafa goes into the clay court season healthy, is he still the king of clay?
Until dethroned, yes, he is the king of clay. No exceptions. But if Djoker makes the final at RG this year, I don't see how he can be stopped.
(16) Are there any spanish girls Rafa couldn't have?
No, spanish boys too. He is loved to an unheralded level by the spaniards.
(16a) I realize his girl is hot, but if the answer to the above is "yes", I wonder if he is doing some smashing on the side?
Look, Rafa is not normal. He is very weird. He is almost like the Rain Man of tennis. He only thinks of proper water bottle placement when off court.
(17) Rhyne Williams made it into the Indian Wells masters and is on the Davis Cup squad...(as a practice partner)
Yes, I was following that as well. Awesome.
(18) When will Rhyne get his first W in a match in the main draw of a masters-level tourney or major? This year?
Shew. Could happen, but masters level is a whole nother . . . level. Sorry.
(19) Sandgren won another futures event (that makes three). Can he make the jump to playing with the big boys? What is his upside compared to Rhyne?
I admit I didn't see this happening. Good for him.
(20) I read Rafa's book and enjoyed it. Now I'm going to read the new book that is out on Marcelo Rios. I was a huge fan of Rios, and maintain that he is the best player who never won a major. His career was cut short by injuries, but his game was silky smooth.
I had a friend that went to Bolleteri (sp?) in the 1990s for a while. She said she went in to eat one day and saw Rios sitting by himself eating lunch. She sits beside him and asks how he is doing. He ignores her and then gets up and moves to sit somewhere else without saying a word. I enjoyed Rafa's book as well. Especially the part where he admits he basically fired Uncle Toni after an early round match at the 2010 USO (?) because he refused to play the style Uncle Toni demanded. Of course, it only lasted a few hours. Lots of good info in his book.
 
#3
#3
kidbourbon said:
(1) Is John Isner now a threat to win a major?

(12) Does Rory smash other girls on the side, or his he exclusive to Caroline?
Click to expand...

jmo, but I think Isner can definitely win a major... but the French Open probably is the least likely for him to win.

And regarding Caroline, Rory should consider himself lucky.
 
#5
#5
lylsmorr said:
Who is your pick kb?
Click to expand...

It's really hard because, as Dyron pointed out, we just don't know what the situation is what Rafa's knees.

Because that is such a wildcard, I'll just assume for the sake of argument that Rafa's knees will be in the same shape for the FO that they were for the AO. And under that assumption, I'll go with Nadal.

My rationale is that the AO final between Nadal and Djokovic was just really really close. It was a match that could have gone either way. And I think that the fact that Djoker's best surface is hard courts* and Rafa's best surface is Clay is enough to tilt what I saw in the AO just slightly enough back in Rafa's favor, that I think he wins.

Many of you might counter that it doesn't matter what surface they play on because Djoker is in Rafa's head. But I don't think anybody is in Rafa's head on clay. I think that once he steps on that surface, he knows he has a little something extra and he's going to be a tough guy to beat.

*Even though he is very good on all surfaces, including clay.
 
#6
#6
DyronNix said:
(16a) I realize his girl is hot, but if the answer to the above is "yes", I wonder if he is doing some smashing on the side?
Look, Rafa is not normal. He is very weird. He is almost like the Rain Man of tennis. He only thinks of proper water bottle placement when off court.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. After reading his book, I'm almost one hundred percent certain he does zero smashing on the side.
 
#7
#7
IBlvNTmWrk said:
jmo, but I think Isner can definitely win a major... but the French Open probably is the least likely for him to win.

And regarding Caroline, Rory should consider himself lucky.
Click to expand...

I forgot that Isner took Rafa to five sets at the French Open last year losing 4-6 in the 5th. If I recall, Isner had his chances to break in the 5th, but didn't and then got broken himself.
 
#8
#8
People actually watch (and pay attention to for that matter) tennis?!?
 
#12
#12
IBlvNTmWrk said:
jmo, but I think Isner can definitely win a major... but the French Open probably is the least likely for him to win.
Click to expand...

They say that his game translates over pretty nicely to clay because his serve kicks up even higher, and the higher bounce on the ball gives him more time to get to balls.

In other words, he can win on clay, but he can't win on Clay by grinding it out. The higher bounce will put the ball in his wheelhouse, and he has to go for -- and convert -- winners of his groundstrokes.
 
#13
#13
kidbourbon said:
They say that his game translates over pretty nicely to clay because his serve kicks up even higher, and the higher bounce on the ball gives him more time to get to balls.

In other words, he can win on clay, but he can't win on Clay by grinding it out. The higher bounce will put the ball in his wheelhouse, and he has to go for -- and convert -- winners of his groundstrokes.
Click to expand...

Good points... should be fun to watch.
 
#14
#14
Nole did not show up for this match today mentally. He wasn't there from the start and Nadal throttled him. Nole's grandfather passed away earlier this week and Nole didn't seem interested in putting up a fight today. Honestly, I'd say Djoker is relieved to put his consecutive match win streak v. Nadal to rest and set his sights towards Paris.

Nadal wins MC for the 8th consecutive time, despite another phantom pre-tournament "knee" injury. Imagine that. I also noticed that he is starting the routine against Djoker that he used so effectively against Federer beginning in 2007. He is talking about how great Djoker is, how Djoker is the clear favorite and expected to win, and how he (Nadal) is but a mere peasant fisherman from Mallorca who can't be expected to do anything other than try his best, no?

Nadal will be tough all clay season, but it remains to be seen if Djoker has anything for him when it matters on clay: The French Open.

Can't wait to see the blue clay in Madrid.
 
#15
#15
DyronNix said:
He is talking about how great Djoker is, how Djoker is the clear favorite and expected to win, and how he (Nadal) is but a mere peasant fisherman from Mallorca who can't be expected to do anything other than try his best, no?
Click to expand...

I like how you ended that sentence as Rafa would have ended it. Cracks me up.
 
#16
#16
DyronNix said:
Nole did not show up for this match today mentally. He wasn't there from the start and Nadal throttled him. Nole's grandfather passed away earlier this week and Nole didn't seem interested in putting up a fight today. Honestly, I'd say Djoker is relieved to put his consecutive match win streak v. Nadal to rest and set his sights towards Paris.

Nadal wins MC for the 8th consecutive time, despite another phantom pre-tournament "knee" injury. Imagine that. I also noticed that he is starting the routine against Djoker that he used so effectively against Federer beginning in 2007. He is talking about how great Djoker is, how Djoker is the clear favorite and expected to win, and how he (Nadal) is but a mere peasant fisherman from Mallorca who can't be expected to do anything other than try his best, no?

Nadal will be tough all clay season, but it remains to be seen if Djoker has anything for him when it matters on clay: The French Open.

Can't wait to see the blue clay in Madrid.
Click to expand...

I think the French is Rafa's to lose.
 
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