August 31, 20223 yr Author Peyton on phone, FF draft on laptop, Surly on iPad, Rangers on TV, lot going on.
August 31, 20223 yr 34 minutes ago, LTtxfan said: Stearns loses 1st set 6-4 on 1 break. Stearns wins 2nd set 6-4 - 3 breaks to 2. 😋 On to set three - Stearns holds gm1 up 1-0. 🤘 rain delay -- play suspended Peyton had just given up her 1st break in 3rd set. Peyton Down 3-4 Edited August 31, 20223 yr by LTtxfan damn autocorrect
August 31, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, shadow_operative2.0 said: Sofia & Emma out. Yeah, Raducanu might be a flash in the pan. Really need some better young talent in both women's and men's tennis. The old guard won't be around too much longer...
August 31, 20223 yr 2nd US Open in a row Jack Sock had to retire due to his poor fitness. Different year same story with his fitness
August 31, 20223 yr Author The audio of the auto-line caller in this match is insanely high, driving me fucking crazy.
August 31, 20223 yr The entire first round is complete for the women.....except for Alexandrova v. Stearns. They'll finish up on Wednesday Edited August 31, 20223 yr by perfectchaos007
August 31, 20223 yr Author From the other site... Quote Who's in: Swiatek, Stephens, Muguruza, Kvitova, Azarenka, Andreescu, Krejcikova, Serena (8 Champs) Who's out: Kenin, Ostapenko, Raducanu, Rybakina, Venus, Halep, Osaka (7 Champs) That’s pretty crazy after one round.
August 31, 20223 yr I used to like Osaka and hate Collins. That’s not the case anymore. When Naomi loses a point she didn’t expect to lose and just freezes and looks at her bench like “I need help because I am about to have a meltdown of epic victimhood levels…” I just want her to lose in humiliating fashion.
August 31, 20223 yr On 8/29/2022 at 6:41 PM, Fudbelty said: I can’t say I’ve watched a ton of tennis but Serena hitting one serve out then the next three straight in the net doesn’t seem ideal. Serena's tennis is kinda boring, and its a simple equation: it's her winners minus her unforced errors and if the difference is positive enough she wins. in her hey day she would dominate with this strategy. that sounds like a no brainier, but tennis is also about rally tolerance, defense, progressing through a point from neutral rallies to control to the winner, patience, shot selection, and creating forced errors. Almost none of that matters with her game. She can literally win a game with 4 first serve aces. 4 winners (i.e. aces) - 0 unforced errors = dominance. But Serena often times can't rally to save her life, her defense can be non-existent, she has almost no patience, and her dominance can be so over the top that the idea of an error (forced or unforced) by her opponent isn't conceivable because her opponent can't even reach the ball when Serena gets a hold of it (i.e. hits a winner). On 8/29/2022 at 6:44 PM, dcbc said: It's not, but she made up for it with two aces. So there's that. case in point. On 8/29/2022 at 7:32 PM, Nicole44 said: Hard to imagine Serena no longer in the picture. So dominant for such a long time. I’m trying to get jazzed about the latest crop of womens tennis players but I’m just kinda meh about all of them… she's one of the most dominate athletes of all time, period. she belongs in the same conversation as Michael Jordan and Tom Brady. That said, her retiring is fantastic for women's tennis. Women's tennis is IMO much, much more interesting than most men's tennis (though when the GOATs play each other the tennis is really incredible). Women's tennis has more rally tolerance, point progressions, etc. and less aces and pure early in the point winners, which to me makes it more interesting, and a better game to watch to learn how tennis is played. Serena frankly played an extreme version of what many men try to play which is predominately win with winners and aces and less focus on defense and rally tolerance (the men's GOATs excepted). And in case anyone wants to argue with me, what makes Rafa so spectacular is his defense, the man is a grinder and will out tolerate his opponents to the win if he has to. So i'm not saying all men's tennis. but all else being equal, if there are non-marquee matches on, i'll watch the women over the men any day. Edited August 31, 20223 yr by troph
August 31, 20223 yr Author I really need to watch ESPN+ more. I have the DTV bonus channels, so rarely need to fuck with more matches, but straight up court noise is fun. Sakkari/lefty Wang battling in a long one now.
August 31, 20223 yr 5 hours ago, troph said: And in case anyone wants to argue with me, what makes Rafa so spectacular is his defense, the man is a grinder and will out tolerate his opponents to the win if he has to. So i'm not saying all men's tennis. but all else being equal, if there are non-marquee matches on, i'll watch the women over the men any day. Rafa's serve is more finesse than power. I mean don't get me wrong, he hit some in the 120s last night. The point is, it gets returned, and then we get the rallies, which are fun. Those two Ausies playing each other the other night was the most boring tennis I've watched in a while. Ace, Ace, biffed return, double fault, Ace, biffed return, repeat.
August 31, 20223 yr 51 minutes ago, dcbc said: Rafa's serve is more finesse than power. I mean don't get me wrong, he hit some in the 120s last night. The point is, it gets returned, and then we get the rallies, which are fun. Those two Ausies playing each other the other night was the most boring tennis I've watched in a while. Ace, Ace, biffed return, double fault, Ace, biffed return, repeat. I agree with you, like I said he's a grinder. he wins because first and foremost his defense is spectacular, even offensive sometimes, he's quite possibly the best defensive tennis player ever. so good his defense is often times better than his opponent's offense which is a sure way to demoralize your opponent. he has plenty of controlled shots and progressions to the winning shot but watch what happens when his opponent has control, he steals points on defense all the time, other times he simply neutralizes his opponent's control and then takes control, making one of the hardest shifts in tennis (from defense back to in control) look effortless at times. it's beautiful tennis. he doesn't need an Isner power serve because he can neutralize anything but the best return of serve his opponent can muster. he's an exception to standard men's power tennis which is what serena is as well. it's boring tennis, not worth watching, not good as a teaching tool, etc. etc. I agree 100%. and if you like that kind of tennis, 9 out of 10 matches on the women's side are that kind of tennis which is why serena retiring is good for tennis imo, we will get even more of that. Edited August 31, 20223 yr by troph
August 31, 20223 yr 10 minutes ago, troph said: I agree with you, like I said he's a grinder. he wins because first and foremost his defense is spectacular, even offensive sometimes, he's quite possibly the best defensive tennis player ever. so good his defense is often times better than his opponent's offense which is a sure way to demoralize your opponent. he has plenty of controlled shots and progressions to the winning shot but watch what happens when his opponent has control, he steals points on defense all the time, other times he simply neutralizes his opponent's control and then takes control, making one of the hardest shifts in tennis (from defense back to in control) look effortless at times. it's beautiful tennis. he doesn't need an Isner power serve because he can neutralize anything but the best return of serve his opponent can muster. he's an exception to standard men's power tennis which is what serena is as well. it's boring tennis, not worth watching, not good as a teaching tool, etc. etc. Watching him play Novak is time well spent, aggravating and anxiety filled though it may be. I wish the dude would take the shot so we can get back to watching him play tennis and I don't have to hear about him as the martyr for the antivax movement, many of whom probably had no idea who he was before he got bounced from Australia. But Novak is a machine. And while I enjoy watching both of them play, Rafa is, as you described it, playing beautiful tennis. I can't recall if it was Australia or early Wimbledon, but he absolutely and consistently punished someone's backhand in super tight windows. Just unreal. Edited August 31, 20223 yr by dcbc
August 31, 20223 yr Switching gears, anybody catch any of J.J. Wolf's match the other day? That kid can hit.
August 31, 20223 yr 4 minutes ago, dcbc said: Watching him play Novak is time well spent, aggravating and anxiety filled though it may be. I wish the dude would take the shot so we can get back to watching him play tennis and I don't have to hear about him as the martyr for the antivax movement, many of whom probably had no idea who he was before he got bounced from Australia. But Novak is a machine. And while I enjoy watching both of them play, Rafa is, as you described it, playing beautiful tennis. I can't recall if it was Australia or early Wimbledon, but he absolutely and consistently punished someone's backhand in super tight windows. Just unreal. that's the only match that I prefer over the top women's tennis, and I said as much. I'd pay quite a bit to watch a five set with those two guys live and in person. The vax issue is annoying I agree but I otherwise love the guy, don't get the hate.
August 31, 20223 yr 8 minutes ago, troph said: that's the only match that I prefer over the top women's tennis, and I said as much. I'd pay quite a bit to watch a five set with those two guys live and in person. The vax issue is annoying I agree but I otherwise love the guy, don't get the hate. Yeah, I was late to the party. The dude is absolutely incredible. Men's and women's tennis each has ebbed and flowed over the years. I grew up watching in the early 80s when both were ebbing hard. Women's tennis was more interesting post Williams sisters' hitting the scene. Apart from the above, it's easier to watch for me, kind of like college football versus pros---better pace and more opportunity for rallies. But the greats are the greats on both sides. I'll always watch. I can't wait to see what Gauff does over the next five years. She's going to need to be Ruse first. Edited August 31, 20223 yr by dcbc
August 31, 20223 yr Author Keys beat Camila in a super breaker. Snigur backed up her Simona win by laying down against a bad Marino. Riske outlasted Osorio in a match neither really wanted. Ruse trying to force 3 against Coco now.
August 31, 20223 yr Bonzi looks like Jack Black's roommate, the real Ned Schneebly, in School of Rock.
August 31, 20223 yr Both ladies ripping the ball. Kontaveit not playing scared. Was surprised to see she’s 40-1 to win the tournament despite being #2 in the world. Made tour final last year.
September 1, 20223 yr I wanted to go see Alcaraz play tomorrow, but he’s an early afternoon start. Going to have to hope to see him at night in the later rounds. Watching him play has gotten me interested in tennis again for the first time in Lord knows how long. He just does things no one should be able to do at his or any age.
September 1, 20223 yr I get that Serena is the goat and the fans want to see her keep playing, but the onesideedness is crazy. Kontaveit got to some crazy balls and hit a phenomenal passing shot, and the crowd groans. She hits it into the net and it's like Serena hit the greatest shot ever seen. I love Serena and a huge fan, but geez.
September 1, 20223 yr Women's tennis has more rally tolerance, point progressions, etc. and less aces and pure early in the point winners, which to me makes it more interesting, and a better game to watch to learn how tennis is played. Serena frankly played an extreme version of what many men try to play which is predominately win with winners and aces and less focus on defense and rally tolerance (the men's GOATs excepted).You're overgeneralizing Serena vs the field in an extreme way. There have been several studies done over the years on this topic and it was an interesting point of discussion a few years ago when the issue of equal pay at the slams was trending. The average rally in both men's and women's tennis is less than four shots. The average rally in major tournaments is actually longer in men's tennis than women's tennis and the same trend occurs throughout the junior rankings. I agree in general the men have a tendency to be more aggressive. While it should lead on average to lower stroke numbers for the men it's evened out by the crazy number of unforced errors in the women's game, which speaks to why they aren't as aggressive - the shot making ability isn't the same.
September 1, 20223 yr 5 minutes ago, gsoda3 said: You're overgeneralizing Serena vs the field in an extreme way. There have been several studies done over the years on this topic and it was an interesting point of discussion a few years ago when the issue of equal pay at the slams was trending. The average rally in both men's and women's tennis is less than four shots. The average rally in major tournaments is actually longer in men's tennis than women's tennis and the same trend occurs throughout the junior rankings. I agree in general the men have a tendency to be more aggressive. While it should lead on average to lower stroke numbers for the men it's evened out by the crazy number of unforced errors in the women's game, which speaks to why they aren't as aggressive - the shot making ability isn't the same. I haven’t looked at the numbers maybe as you have but if you really think Serena’s secret isn’t her wins/aces minus her unforced errors then I don’t know what to tell you. I also argue for a living and have zero interest in an argument about a sport I love. So I’ll take you at your word on the rest and say thanks for the info.
September 1, 20223 yr Btw here’s and article noting significant differences on breaking serves and aces both pointing to what I consider more interesting tennis on the women’s side, so while I have not studied data I do have anecdotal preference and there is data to support the fact that a person might find the women’s game / style of play more interesting, though maybe where I assumed causation was erroneous. More breaks in women’s tennis (I think by a third) and less aces (50% less). So whatever the reason might be it remains the case I find the women’s game more interesting the mens semis and finals of the majors often excepted. https://medium.com/@alexrauf/how-do-men-women-serves-differ-in-pro-tennis-ca66ee9e2492 as for 0-4 shots of course the majority of tennis is under four shots. I play tennis and I prefer to win a point in under 6 total and hate long points. They might be entertaining but they are terribly unsettling as a player, whether you win or lose them. Edited September 1, 20223 yr by troph
September 1, 20223 yr 3 minutes ago, troph said: Btw here’s and article noting significant differences on breaking serves and aces both pointing to what I consider more interesting tennis on the women’s side, so while I have not studied data I do have anecdotal preference and there is data to support the fact that a person might find the play more interesting. More breaks in women’s tennis and less aces (50% less). So whatever the reason might be it remains the case I find the women’s game more interesting the mens semis and finals of the majors excepted. https://medium.com/@alexrauf/how-do-men-women-serves-differ-in-pro-tennis-ca66ee9e2492 I like the woman’s game better because they look really good in short skirts.
September 1, 20223 yr Interviewer: Are you surprised? Serena: No. I'm just Serena. I didn't expect any of this, but I'm really enjoying it. This is like watching Rocky (II, III, IV, it doesn't matter). Edited September 1, 20223 yr by dcbc
September 1, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, Mo Horn said: I get that Serena is the goat and the fans want to see her keep playing, but the onesideedness is crazy. Kontaveit got to some crazy balls and hit a phenomenal passing shot, and the crowd groans. She hits it into the net and it's like Serena hit the greatest shot ever seen. I love Serena and a huge fan, but geez. Fans flew in from around the globe to see Serena play. If I am flying thousands of miles while paying the prices these folks are in order to see Serena in one final tournament then yes I would be cheering everything she does. Kontaveit knew this would be the environment going in and she was okay with it. I met a woman on Monday that flew in from London solely to see Serena play. I hope she wins this tournament. She is among the handful of greatest athletes of all-time. Go out with a bang Serena!
September 1, 20223 yr I haven’t looked at the numbers maybe as you have but if you really think Serena’s secret isn’t her wins/aces minus her unforced errors then I don’t know what to tell you. I also argue for a living and have zero interest in an argument about a sport I love. So I’ll take you at your word on the rest and say thanks for the info. I don't argue for a living but my day job is being right at the correct time so I can get pedantic and it can carry over here, sorry. We're not saying that different of things other than I think you're looking at the women's game through the lens of Serena's style and it's distorting the image. I agree she plays like Bowser in Mario tennis and her night changes from set to set based on her ability to limit errors and have her winners land. I don't think though it's as unique in the women's game and prevalent in the men's game as you think.
September 1, 20223 yr 13 minutes ago, UpperWestside said: Fans flew in from around the globe to see Serena play. If I am flying thousands of miles while paying the prices these folks are in order to see Serena in one final tournament then yes I would be cheering everything she does. Kontaveit knew this would be the environment going in and she was okay with it. I met a woman on Monday that flew in from London solely to see Serena play. I hope she wins this tournament. She is among the handful of greatest athletes of all-time. Go out with a bang Serena! I'm rooting for her to win it all as well, and everyone knew this was going to be the way it was. But, I appreciate great tennis and happy to acknowledge that regardless of who makes the shots. AK hit some great shots and the crowd groaned. They even booed a replay because AK won the point. Even though she knew it was going to happen, it had to be disheartening. It will be no different every match.
September 1, 20223 yr 14 minutes ago, gsoda3 said: I don't argue for a living but my day job is being right at the correct time so I can get pedantic and it can carry over here, sorry. We're not saying that different of things other than I think you're looking at the women's game through the lens of Serena's style and it's distorting the image. I agree she plays like Bowser in Mario tennis and her night changes from set to set based on her ability to limit errors and have her winners land. I don't think though it's as unique in the women's game and prevalent in the men's game as you think. Im usually dead on right at work too but this isn’t work so meh. And frankly your post made me think and helped move my personal game forward so it’s all good. I found an article saying hitting 20 in a row consistently isn’t as important as hitting your first 2 shots 10 times in a row as consistently. Though I’ve lost to more rally tolerant players and I hate it. Anyway, my lens is more about the likes of Kyrgios and Isner (and those dominate servers) and aces and no breaks than simply Serena though she plays similarly. I like serve and volley too though maybe there are no differences there either. Maybe men are more perfect at the game but then I prefer college baseball over MLB too so my bias for less perfection being equivalent to more interesting is clear. Though the World Series is one of the great sports events so similarly when the men GOATs play I love to watch. But day in day out, I like women’s tennis more, I find it more interesting. Clearly my half baked reason wasn’t based on data but it’s still more interesting to me. Seems like there is some data that backs my reasoning up. Edited September 1, 20223 yr by troph
September 1, 20223 yr 12 minutes ago, troph said: hitting 20 in a row consistently isn’t as important as hitting your first 2 shots 10 times in a row as consistently. something something first serves percentages ... maria sharapova... kyrgios is so talented. i hate how he berates his box. i don't like his antics or the way he expresses frustration on court but i appreciate his honesty. his serve gets him out of trouble and frankly sets up loads of points for him. his defense gets overlooked, partly due to his offensive prowess, partly due to his lack of mental stamina where he just quits sometimes. he's a more talented andy roddick in every aspect except his head.
September 1, 20223 yr 1 minute ago, gsoda3 said: something something first serves percentages ... maria sharapova... kyrgios is so talented. i hate how he berates his box. i don't like his antics or the way he expresses frustration on court but i appreciate his honesty. his serve gets him out of trouble and frankly sets up loads of points for him. his defense gets overlooked, partly due to his offensive prowess, partly due to his lack of mental stamina where he just quits sometimes. he's a more talented andy roddick in every aspect except his head. He fed on the frustrations he meted out on his box. He'd serve three aces in a row after acting like a dick to his people for a minute. I didn't appreciate it either, but it works for him.
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