The Gays and Tennis Part 161 - The Australian Open

The last thread (160) is about half full and still going, OP.

I suggest you put a link in there to this one!

Okay, I thought because 160 was labeled "the short off season" that people would be looking for an AO thread.

Djokovic played four hours in his first match? The wrist is not going to hold it at that rate.

Possibly, but the regulars are likely to carry on in the old one until they pop their clogs, unless directed elsewhere!

R3 remember the wrist is a NoVaxx 'injury': i.e. either completely fictitious or massively exaggerated.

This thread, so early, is very bad form—your explanation is insufficient.

What is it with the Ozzies all having a mustache? Be it a Hitler-stache, a pornstache, a gallic stache, a non-descript stache but still a stache...

I hadn’t realized Tiafoe changed coaches.

Did he or is Ferreira just not with him, which he isn't all the time? Or did they mention something during the broadcast?

R9 they mentioned it in the broadcast. They parted at the end of last year - apparently on good terms.

I always got the impression that, as much as Ferreira loved and respected Frances, he struggled with Frances’s boisterous style and penchant for flashy play.

Yes, he can get himself pumped up on the court, he’s also expending energy. And some of the flashy shots are not always the best choice.

Which is odd since Ferreira, while personally not boisterous or hyped like Francis, his actual game wasn't any sort of deliberate grind - he had big shots and would unload and miss sometimes, just like Francis. Though maybe his own experience is why he doesn't always like Francis' approach.

I will say, while Tiafoe is a good athlete, he is absolutely not among the truly elite movers on tour. He is not an elite defensive player who can consistently turn defense into offense. So he sort of has to be more aggressive and take his chances, risking unforced errors, against better players.

I support the OP, let's have a fresh start.

Djokovic has had a cold, you could hear it in the interview. Still, the kid played great and didn't roll over at 4-0 in the 4th. He really fought until the end. The tournament deserves Novaxx v. Shelton. I hope we get there before we get Alcaraz. He said his goal was to play Novaxx in the final, that's bound to motivate his opponents.

I worry about Rublev becoming the next Robin Soderling.

Soderling made Slam finals. Rublev hasn't cleared the QF hurdle yet - and he's made a lot of QFs. Maybe he gets his first Slam SF this year. I like Rubie.

Oh R3. Novak's wrist is totally fine.

Remember his abdominal tear? Or whatever it was? Yeah, he walked to the title.

Novak is super in-tune with his body, so even a little wrist thing (it would be little to you or me) might cause him to be extra cautious with wrist braces, whatever. If he's careful with it in an early stage, that keeps it from getting worse. So then he goes to the next round feeling better, and everyone accuses him of faking! Not to mention he's a world-class athlete, and they know how to play through injury and pain (to a point).

I agree with all of that R16, but I still think he exaggerates - A LOT. But if opponents are stupid enough to buy it, that's on them.

[quote]Söderling played his last professional match at only age 26 after contracting a lingering bout of mononucleosis.

From Wiki. WTF?

Weren't there PED rumors about Soderling? He never even tried to come back from mono. Well, maybe he tried mentally, but never played a match again for over four years, and then retired.

Tennis players seem oddly prone to weird debilitating diseases.

There’s a study out there that the fiber in tennis ball fuzz is a carcenogen.

Mono was a cover story for mental breakdown. He beat Rafael at RG and barely played again.

Shevchenko and Potapova (who married in December) both lose in the first round.

I'm here for Korda's hairy arms. Also Cobolla's.

GAYdrian's Renaissance continues. Rounds out a 5-set win over Stanimal with a tasty bagel. Up to a career high of 19 in the rankings - the oldest man in history to break the Top 20 for the first time.

It would be absolutely WILD if he made the Top 10 this year. One long Slam run, or freak ATP1000 win - and these seem to happen at least once a year - and he could do it from where he's ranked now.

Gaydrian always looks like he leaves the tennis grounds and casually goes about cruising for dick old school style - malls, public parks and other public spaces, truck stops. And then he casually goes back to his hotel and goes to sleep, gets up and goes back to practice and/or play his next match. No fuss, no muss.

Mi novio, Tomas Martin Etcheverry - currently battling with Misery - makes the case for this year's short shorts trend.

Miserable outcome for Misery.

Hang it up, hun.

Mopsy give RBA a beat-down in straights

Osaka out in straights to Garcia

Flop!

Osaka needs to be playing a couple of WTA250s and a proper lead up to get used to playing competitive tennis again instead of getting into the deep end but as usual she lacks humility. I wonder if she will play the upcoming clay and grass seasons...

She'll probably have another breakdown and flash it all over the press and then complain that people are invading her privacy.

short and shorter!

Holger may as well go on court in a pair of tiny ladies panties. You just know he wants to.

R12, why do you think Tiafoe is not an elite mover? I've seen him track down impossible shots often. Maybe next to say, Carlos or DeMinauer, he's not as fast. Speaking of Fo, I think that US Open loss to Shelton gutted him, especially that phone dial thingy at the end.

I don't dislike Shelton at all as I find him to be very thoughtful during interviews, quite engaging. However, he turned me into more of a Djokovic fan when Djoker turned the tables on him with the phone thing at the Open. It was as if THAT act by Djoker made me reconsider (I'm one of those loathed FED fans). Try as I may, I WANT to think that Djoker's proposed union is a good thing for the players. I just don't understand the pros and cons of it, and would appreciate someone's perspective.

"@Olly_Tennis_

🇩🇪 Alexander Zverev will go on Trial (a criminal trial, not civil) in Germany, in May this year.

Accused of “physically abusing a woman (Brenda Patea, his ex-girlfriend) and damaging her health during an argument”, he denies the allegation."

(That's a different girlfriend to the one whose allegations have been detailed in the media - Olga Sharypova.)

R35, I'm making a distinction between good or very good and elite. He's not a poor mover. But I just don't see elite level. He's definitely improved, but I still don't think it's there compared to the elite movers. It's not just straight-line speed if he gets jump on the ball, but also anticipation, changing direction. Possibly I'm conflating his movement with his defensive skills, i.e., - the ability to run all over and get balls back and stay in the point, the ability - to a higher degree than other players - to, once at a ball in a defensive position, to do more with it than most players would, the ability to - again more so than other players - work back in to a neutral or offensive position from a defensive position. So maybe because I don't see him as an elite defensive player, I'm letting that spill over into my opinion of his movement. But, I still think it's a level below someone like Alcaraz, Med, Djokovic, prime Murray (certainly not anymore) and others.

Shelton has always been a bit over the top in his enthusiasm, and he'd turned his "phone thing" into a shtick in '23 way before the Tiafoe match. It was a way of celebrating a win, not meant to disrespect his opponent. I've never seen Ben use any negative energy against another player.

Djokovic, however, turned the whole thing around and used the gimmick to disrespect Shelton. That lowered my already low opinion of Djokovic even more.

Stuff is one sexy daddy!

Tiafoe could lose a few pounds. Maybe Djoko could give him some medicinal advice.

Tiafoe? He's not that big at all, and fit. He changes his shirt all the time because he sweats so much - always revealing a flat stomach, lean body, an upper body that he hasn't overdeveloped.. He can't do anything about his bulbous ass - thankfully.

FAA took out Thiem in 5!

poor Domicakes

Grigor jumping rope in white briefs.

Damm he's lean.

Loving Grigor's thirsty vid. Thanks for sharing.

Tennis players are generally pretty lean. Even if they're as tall as they appear on TV, IMO, they're often slighter and leaner looking in person. Bulk generally doesn't help in tennis, so tennis pros generally don't go huge on upper body development. I mean, they want to be strong of course, but not bulky. There are a few barrel chested pros, but that's just generally because they're naturally built like that. And of course, there's the guys with naturally thick legs, but they're never quite as thick in person.

Grigor is built a lot like Novaxx. Not much ass on either of them.

Re: Grigor and the jump rope video:. speaking of "never quite as thick in person..."

So happy Ruud won. Yay!

Big-boned flying Dutchman, Griekspoor, digs deep to come back from 2 sets down to overpower Safiullin.

Watching the Mackie-Shang match--the Chinese cheering section for Shang sounds like they're getting ready to incite a riot and murder a few spectators. I've never heard anything like it during a tennis match.

R44 that was so fucking hot, thanks. (fans self)

Big Jack D survives the heat (of Giron's ass) - and an ill-advised haircut - to outmuscle Marcos in 5.

Gay tennis umpire Nacho Forcadell is in Melbourne with his boyfriend. That is so cute.

The Gasquet v. Alcaraz match looks like a middle-aged man playing his teenaged son. The first set goes to a tiebreaker.

Yeah, Gasquet has not aged well.

Yeah, Big Jack's 'do is a 'don't.

Gasquet is 37-years-old. Alcaraz is 20-years-old. So it's actually entirely possible that Gasquet is his dad (there are a lot of sexually active 17-yr-olds).

I never noticed how bow-legged Gasquet is.

Peppa thru!

Carlitos..... YUUUUUUGE!

With the first round now complete, only two seeded players (Jarry and Bublik) on the men's side have fallen, while eleven seeds (over half of them ovas) are already gone on the women's side.

Alcaraz is still playing like shit. I think he will have an early exit.

Jelena Ostapenko, Queen of the Baltics, resplendent in her regal attire, as always.

I love how Felix turned "good morning" into a smile.

Sorry, here:

bye Marcos :-(

come sit on my face, you'll feel better

Lots of good matches today.

FAA is adorbs when he's smiling

Machac is the new Legz

Yes, please, all in favor of replacing old Legz with someone much more pleasant...

They had a camera on Machac and Tiafoe in the underbelly of the stadium before the walked out. Not only were Machac's shorts very short and tight, he had been on the warm-up bike or doing other warm-up exercises and they had ridden up, so they were even shorter. That's when I first saw them. I honestly thought his shorts were just warm-up exercise shorts and he was going to change before taking the court. Lol. Thankfully that wasn't the case and he's setting a new legz/short shorts standard.

So many faces missing at AO; who did the 'quiet quitting' after last season?

Venus?

L'il Diego?

Andreescu?

Andreescu is always injured or has some drama (but usually just injured). I think Diego's ranking has slipped enough that he had to play qualifying and he didn't make it through. Venus, who knows. She's not officially retired, but she should be on her last legs.

There's always room for Legz, Rune's Machac's. Others.

I love this short shorts trend. Next, most of the hot guys should wear tank tops and be required to take them off during at least two changeovers a set, with the camera ON them, not pulling away to a commercial, a statue, some fan eating food. NO! None of that.

ITA R75.

Male tennis players very often have amazing legs, and they're ready for PRIMETIME!

We've been out in the wilderness for FAR too long, while the ladies pretty much showed their beavers.

Sanchez-Vicario: good news and bad.

The good: she’s much more attractive these days.

But her personal life is a mess.

I feel bad for Sanchez Vicario because it was clearly evident even in her playing days that she was an idiot and seems to have subsequently been taken advantage of by lots of people in her life. While I know she's accused her parents of having done her wrong financially before, I question it and think that might have been the influence of one of her boyfriends/husbands as none of her other siblings have supported her and certainly her brother Emilio did nearly as well financially as she did on tour and now runs a successful tennis academy so I have my doubts about her accusations against her parents. Also I think her father has been dead for years...

Who's the homeless-looking guy sitting in Collins' box?

I think he's her coach and that the guy sitting behind him is her bf.

Iga on her way out the door…

Iga is going to snatch this from her

I see what you did there! And you’re right.

She choked big time…

Is it just me, or were Shelton and Michelsen harvested from the same Cabbage Patch?

In pre-tournament press, Emma Radacanu said there is nothing a coach knows. Enter than her because they’ve never been in her position.

After crashing out, she might want to check her arrogance.

Yes. Both Osaka and Emma Raducanu think they know better than their coach. Osaka says that her coach keeps telling her that she needs to play more matches yet she won't. While Raducanu changes coaches as often as she changes clothes. I actively want them both to lose because of it now. It's just a terrible attitude.

I recently listened to a podcast interview of Trevor Noah interviewing Kyrios. Regarding coaching, and why he goes it alone, Kyrios said something to the effect that why should he waste $150-$200K a year for someone telling him what to do when Kyrios himself can look at players live or on youtube.

Nick has a point. Why do players hit bad shots and then look at their coaches? The coach isn't playing the match, you are!

Some players really depend on coaches for basic strategy. J-C Ferrero pretty much tells Alcaraz what to do for every point. Carlos Rodriguez did the same for Justine Henin...

Pegula lost to a qualifer!

JCF wasn’t coming to the AO this year, last I heard, as he is recovering from surgery.

Carlos is very dependent on his presence, so this is a growth opportunity.

[quote]JCF wasn’t coming to the AO this year, last I heard, as he is recovering from surgery.

Yippee! Finally a chance to get at that circuit pussy! Vamos! Coaches really are a major cock block.

There are coaches who really look at technique and relay strategy to players. But there's a lot of coaches who are more managers. They're there to organize practice, they're there to motivate their players; they're there to remind them of simple stuff when they've lost it mentally a little. Basically they're not "development" coaches who are teaching their players how to hit strokes and play tennis. A lot of players actually need this type of coach to do well.

I just finished watching Shelton-Mannarino. Shelton is such an annoying, cocky little shit; I'm glad Mannarino won after melting down in the second set.

R93 Cock block?! Lol. You've got it all wrong.

Shelton pings like crazy. He's got gay voice for days.

one more piece of Legz+ eye candy

just because

Sad Legz+ lost, not that I have anything in particular against Khachanov.

What do we think of Nuno Borges, gurls?

I say hawt and hairy with beautiful eyes.

NSYG Team or Nuno Team?

FAA Team or Med Team?

Cam Team or Casper Team?

UGOAT Team or Hubie Team?

Sweet Tommy Team or Thiccness Team?

Peppa Team or Vika Team?

Casper and Sweet Tommy. I don’t care about the others.

And Peppa for the title, bitches!

LOL

Peppa is a DL fave!

I'm Team Beat Novaxx.

Bless your heart r102. But even I know I’m a fat, unpleasant pig.

So glad the other thread has filled up. Please don't do that again, it was annoying trying to follow two threads. Let this thread go to near 600 first.

I normally hate hall monitors, but R106 is right.

There's only like 30 of us on this thread. So there's no need to start a thread until we're ready or M nukes the current one.

[quote[ NSYG Team or Nuno Team?

(Not so young) Grigor team

[quote] FAA Team or Med Team?

Whomever can beat Novaxx team

[quote] Cam Team or Casper Team?

Ruud team

[quote] UGOAT Team or Hubie Team?

Ugoat Humbert Humbert team

Sweet Tommy Team or Thiccness Team?

[quote] Peppa Team or Vika Team?

Paul team.

Peppa Pig team or Azarenka team?

I've never seen Hubie so crabby, glowering and repeatedly throwing his racket at the ground in his loss of the first set 6-3 to lissome Humbie.

WTF? Kyrgios is not a commentator??

Osteporko represents sooo many DLers. Bitchy, moon faced drama queen. That's why we love this crazy fat bitch.

Ostapenko is on!!

I want to rename her to The Lavender Petunia today. Her hotpants are even striped.

Vika is looking fit but struggled in her first two matches. I guess it depends whether the Petunia has an on or an off day.

MeowMeow!

This was Peppa yesterday. Telling her mother to get out of the stadium.

Is Keckmanovic a better match-up for Alcaraz than Paul? I know hr has struggled with Paul in the past.

had a look and they've only played once. On hard last year. Kecmanovic did win a tight set off Alcaraz but Alcaraz still won.

Sorry, I mean 2022. Still adjusting to that it's 2024 now.

R118 That's what I thought. I don't think it'll be an easy match by any means, but I still think he'd prefer Kecmanovic. Paul is a tricky opponent.

Yeah, his HtH with Paul is 2-2.

Woke up to Casper Ruud playing!

Wuud.

Ostarenka.

DL wants Grigor in very light shorts. Who is cock block bitch sending him dark ones?

Vika now has a 4-0 HtH over Peppa. Iga is writing her a thank you card and sending flowers.

Arthur Cazaux's going all the way, bitches!

Grigor's shorts are kinda tight in the ass. He looks great

"Miaow-Miaow" is such a thicc stud.

Ruud is losing. NID.

Nuno and Norrie look like they're homing in on upsets.

Impressed by Norrie. He played way more aggressively than usual - I really didn't think he had the ability to make those changes to his game.

Noskova takes a set off Iga.

So it looks like were headed for a Carlos/Med semi. Unless Zverev can somehow upset Carlos.

Now Noskova is serving for the match. She has a good serve so it doesn't look good for Iga.

Aaand there it is, Swiatek is out of the AO. Svitolina to make the final in the top half of the draw?!

Cazaux, being cute and adorable

The top half of the women's draw is fucking decimated.

I kinda want Vika. Not even sure why.

R138 Think because it would be respectable since she's already won two AOs.. I'd much rather her than another random one slam wonder.

Sabalenka will be a tough out.

Nuno, bishes!

Felix? Time to kick Uncle Toni to the curb.

grrrr

Grigor has been playing well, this is a great win for him

I'm sorry to say I don't think Felix has the head of a champion. He just can't put it all together. He got spanked.

Ruud was just crap today. Norrie wasn't even that great. Ruud was just abysmal. Ruud would beat Norrie 9 out of 10 times if he played his usual level. Norrie deserved to win today though. He was simply better than a very poor Ruud.

Ruud standing 100 feet behind the baseline, spewing errors everywhere and failing to convert BPs was his undoing today.

Ruud is overrated. I can't get out of my head how obviously too overawed he was about his hero Nadal to even seriously try to be competitive against Nadal. He doesn't have 'it', the fire, or whatever you want to call it.

Happy for Alcaraz but not for the way he won. I hope Shang is ok. I wish him a speedy recovery. As for the next match he lucked out not having to face Paul who is a terrible match-up for him. Kecmanovic is no joke. He will be tough to beat, but I still think he's a better match-up for him than Paul, who he has struggled a lot with in the past.

R147 Even so Norrie is worse. Ruud should be able to beat Norrie. It was just embarrassing today.

R147 Did you watch him play against Purcell? If Ruud plays his best he can beat anyone. Sadly he was way below his usual level today. Norrie was better and deserved to win

R150 But I said very clearly that he just doesn't have the fire or 'it' to want to step up in the big matches. That's what I was saying.

No, if Ruud plays his best he cannot beat anyone. Maybe a lot of players but he’s never been able to worry the game’s best.

"Aaand there it is, Swiatek is out of the AO. Svitolina to make the final in the top half of the draw?!"

She has a good chance, but I bet it will be someone even more random. When draws are busted, all hell breaks loose. Azarenza and Zheng playing well.

AHEM!

Daddy Fritz team or Tsitsy/Citybus team?

Novaxx team or Mannarino sauce team?

Il Gingio team or K. Hemsworth team?

Minotaur/Hitlerstache team or Wublev team?

Cazaux team or Hubie team?

Frech team or Call me Coco team?

Kostyuk team or eva, Timofe team?

ova, Anisim team or She-Hulk team?

eva, Andre team or ova, Krejcik team?

Daddy, Il Gingio, Demon and Cazaux -- Teams

And Gaydrian. Hope springs eternal.

Iga Forehead out!!!! Yes!

Sabalenka will repeat

Same teams as R157. Wubie and Hubie winning would also be fine.

These young Russian and Czech gals are causing some damage at the A O this year

Will I make an appearance at my arena this year?

Giron grabs his junk!

Carlitos adjusts himself and presents hole!

Idea for new uniform for tennis players

[quote] Idea for new uniform for tennis players

Be careful what you wish for.

Gurls, I tell ya, Carlos is hung!

Meanwhile in California, Genie Bikini got 'destroyed' in her pro picketball debut

[quote]Is our sweet innocent Tommy Paul still with that big titted slut the DL doesn't approve of?

Yeah, she follows him around to every tournament to make sure he doesn't have 'wandering eyes'. She's also featured in the 2nd season of the Netflix show 'Break Point'

Coco advances.

They've closed the roof for Anisimova-Sabalenka.

Hubie wears red undies, what a harlot

Djoker’s grown himself a nice phat bubble butt ass 😋

Is it Hue-bee or Hoo-bee?

R173, your standards are quite low if you call that a bubble.

Djokovic has a nice ass. It's proportionately thick for his frame

Mannarino spent. Novak is a bad match up for him anyway, but add to that he's played 3 five-setters in a row.

Daddy v. Citybus is the match to watch.

Sheesh, the power of She Hulk!

Yay Coco Puffs!

[quote] Yay Coco Puffs!

I'm so happy.

Timofee Chalameva.

Why does Daddy Fritz's skin look so luminous?

Who will win between Sissypass and Fritz?

What's that thing about woodshed? Well Novaxx is there with Manarino right now

I think the match is taking a lot out of Djokovic, despite the ridiculous scoreline.

Novak attacking Mannarino like he's a vaccine mandate.

[quote]Daddy v. Citybus is the match to watch

no no, it's going to be the compelling encounter between Babs Krejcikova and teen sensation Mirra Andreeva

Poor Stefanos, these parents, smh

Daddy-Citybus chair umpire is serving face. Not blazingly hot, but nice facial structure.

R163 and R172 Hawt. I love slutty men's underwear and the Giron thickness is so fucking hot that he's one of my favorite player. Thanks DL! DL never disappoints with hot guys.

r190, what precisely do you think is hot about Giron's thickness?

K. Hemsworth, like Daddy Fritz, has beautiful, glowing skin, but Karen's is perfection.

Giron looks beautiful at R163.

Daddy Fritz through defeating Citybus.

What was that last move by Tsisipas?

[quote] What was that last move by Tsisipas?

I was wondering too. It looked like he was trying to distract Fritz.

Taylor Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitz.

Just trying to distract Daddy so he might miss. I don't think Citybus honestly thought it would work. Last ditch attempt when Fritz had a sitter to win the match.

Daddy's trashy Instaho girlfriend was featured during the post-match interview.

It looks as if Daddy Fritz drew a penis and balls on the camera.

He did because he's horny and wants to fuck. That's why he's Daddy.

R191 everything. I love thick bodies and he's actually quite handsome too. The thighs drive me more wild than the thick butt.

Thank you, R202.

R203 he would be amazing to watch fucking.

So this means a Djokovic-Fritz QF. I don't think Fritz has much chance but this is the first time he's beaten a top 10 player at a slam.

The best chance Fritz has is to go for it at all times. And embrace that. He has weapons to could bother Novak. He just needs to accept he will only win by being aggressive and coming forward at all times. He can't wait for Novaxx to miss because he doesn't.

R172 I'm gonna jerk off to Hubie's manderwear all night

If Demon wins, Sissypants drops out of the Top 10. BWAHAHAHA!

If Fritz doesn't beat Novaxx, then I hope he at least wears Old Man Creatina down so much that Sinner destroys him in the semis. No disrespect to Rublev or Demon, but this looks like Sinner's to win with the way he's been playing, the only man left who's yet to drop a set.

The better Legz, still standing in men's doubles, gets to the quarters with Zhang, taking out Salisbury and Ram.

Hit, hit, hit Daddy. You wanna beat that peacock perked up ass piece of shit you have to take it to him. If you miss it's better than going 18 shots and eventually missing before him. If Daddy serves well and takes chances he can be more competitive. His record vs Novak is awful and I've seen the last two matches and he just doesn't try anything. Plays it like you play most players you should beat. Being a pro there's a stage of every tournament where you know you have to pick it up a notch. Haven't seen Fritz do that in a match against Novak. He plays him like he's still in the 2nd or 3rd round. That's a different level.

Time for Joe Salisbury to ditch Grampy Rajeev, and hook up with much younger and hotter fellow Brit, Lloyd Glasspool.

R163 is beyond hot. I love when dude just need to grab their junk.

Misery in Harry Potter drag.

Babs Kejcikova totally outcunts Andreev in the final 2 sets.

So the two women's QFs are Sabalenka-Krejcikova and Gauff-Kostyuk. Pretty winnable matches for Sabalenka and Gauff, I'd say.

Daddy just doesn't have the time to bother Novaxx. CityBus actually does. In theory.

Alas.

I do think Sinner has a chance. But he usually folds under pressure. Maybe this will be his turning point and he can join Carlos as the Rafa/Novaxx of their generation.

Fritz! Wow! I'm shocked.

R205 NoVaxx's luck is unreal. Now he gets to avoid Tsitsipas. And his fans would have us believe he had a difficult draw. Lol. There is no way in hell Fritz beats NoVaxx. Tsitsipas had a better chance, although small.

Serving well and punching first when you have the first neutral ball is the only way anyone beats Novaxx. You won't outlast him and he won't miss first. It's the only way anyone beats him.

The only people that can take NoVaxx down are Sinner and Alcaraz.

That orange Asics kit looks like a construction worker's hi viz jacket. Rublev's design looks good though.

I'd like to see Daddy play him big. Big serving and pounding the ball. He has a massive forehand and a dependable backhand that is actually very technically sound. And just see how he does. His previous efforts have all been awful. He's only shoed up expecting to lose or trying not to lose.

Il Gingio handily defeated K. Hemsworth.

I'm in love with R163. He's like my ideal bro. What do we know gays?

And how does Novaxx, now not far from 40, still have the endurance of someone half his age?

R226. It makes no sense. Sadly his annoying game is why he has success. He plays boring pushing tennis, which is less straining on the body. Alcaraz is 20 yet has been injured a lot already. Sadly, his entertaining attacking tennis might be his undoing. His serve is lacking too. NoVaxx is lucky to have a great serve.

Years ago, the ATP had an ad campaign, "New Balls" - mostly on account of Andy Roddick.

But the young players TODAY are just so fucking HOT. Alcaraz, Rune, Shelton ... too many to count. They need to update the New Balls campaign.

(and don't forget my favorite umpire 'Nacho" - omg that ass & basket!)

R228 Rune isn't hot at all. He's a disgusting homophobe.

It'd be nice to see a new version of "New Balls", but I'd throw in the hotter and newer Fils, Prizmic and Mensik instead of the three baggers.

Apparently, Citybus this tournament has been experimenting with different serve techniques, which is bizarre. Not just rebuying a new motion but switching it up within matches. Suggests an ailment (shoulder).

He wasn’t going to trouble Novaxx.

City bus should be focusing on his shitty backhand, but while Daddy Dearest is calling the shots, I guess that's never happening.

Demon sneaks the third set. Very entertaining match. More ding-donging than Beg Ben at midnight.

Daddy!

Legz+

Woobie misses

Demon is an amazing counter-puncher. As was Hewitt. There's a lot of similarity in their games. If Demon didn't have that can-opener of a schnoz, he'd be hawt.

looks like we're going 5

Woobie FH

Rublev is in the zone, cracking winner after winner, and takes a double-break lead in the 5th set against De Minaur.

Rublev is in the zone, cracking winner after winner, and takes an early double-break lead against De Minaur in the fifth set.

If Rublev wasn't a tennis player I bet he'd want to be in a band.

If Rublev plays like he did in the 5th set against De Minaur, he could give Sinner a ton of trouble. I’m really looking forward to that match.

That was a great match between Rublev and Demon. Rublev is ugly hot. Better looking in motion than in picture.

He's adorable in his interviews.

R245, I totally agree. His honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability are so endearing, and so refreshing.

Great quote from Woobles, with pic to match!

Neither Rune or Shelton are remotely close to being hot

^^^^

I think Alcaraz will lose against Kecmanovic.

No, R228, he's not a homophobe no matter how often you assert it. Get over your childhood trauma on the playground.

Jorge Luis Borges team or Small Cat Medvedev team?

Cazaux team or Hubie team?

A. Zverev team or Norrie team?

Kecmanovic team or Alcaraz (Garfia) team?

Alcaraz said he likes Margot Robbie and Dua Lipa. I guess he is straight after all.

ka, Azaren team or ka, Yastrems team?

ova, Nosk team or Svitolina team?

Paolini team or Kalinskaya team?

Zheng team or Dodin team?

Legz+ was ranked around 75 when he beat Tiafoe and then lost in a decent match to K. Hemsworth. As good as he looked during those matches, and as much as I want him to be around, I'm questioning if he'll really establish himself as a top pro who we see all the time.

Nuno Team

Cazaux (Saviour Of Men's Tennis) Team

NozDog Team

Thiccmaovic Team

This round I'm choosing players that I like, next round it's whoever has the bbest chance of defeating NoVaxxx

Love how Novaxx is trying to definitively snap the lock shut on being the GOAT, which statistically he is I suppose, but I don't think the pendulum is swinging on people holding him in higher reverence than Roger or Rafa. And Novaxx knows it, and it burns him to no end, you can tell.

Poor, poor NoVaxxx, he'll never stop having to do that damned irritating finger-to-the-ear gesture... He'll always be begging for the adulation

To anyone remotely neutral he's just not likeable. All he'll get is grudging acknowledgement of his impressive career stats, his superhuman work ethic and tactical nous. He'll never be beloved.

R254 Polini team. I like that little, racially ambiguous, fiesty Italian

Step on people on the way up; the past comes back to haunt you.

Djokovic dug his own grave: the dismissive arrogance in press conferences, the preening strut and raging meltdowns on court, all the variations in the NoVaxx deception and debacle, Jekyll-Hyding the crowd. Those are permanent stains no matter how much he tries to whitewash them. That racket's been a shovel.

His parents disgusting behavior towards his competitors, the audacity of his mimicking other players ... the list goes on.

Weird Novaxx changed his walk from 2 years ago. Anyone remembr how he used to walk prancing around like a peacock around the court during matches? ..Good times

I think Alcaraz might be a Kinsey 1 or 2. Most likely Kinsey 1 imo. I think he's mostly into women but wouldn't say no to a BJ from the right guy. Basically: he is heterosexual but maybe heteroflexible or bicurious.

Poor ginger Woobie's skin is getting winkly. Still, smart guy - but a bit of a head case. And being from Russia, I'm not sure his mental health is going to improve much going forward, at least for a while.

R257 Novaxx will never be loved like Rafa or Fed. He just wont. No matter how much he and the media try to force him on us.

He is the GOAT for sure.

But there will be docs made about Rafa and Fed similar to ones made about Chrissy/Martina and Mac/Borg.

I'm looking forward to the doc that exposes Djokovic as the Lance Armstrong of tennis.

[quote]Still, smart guy - but a bit of a head case

Okay, I know I'm swimming way against the tide here, but I'm a Djokovic fan. It's not that I don't recognize his numerous faults, many of which are indeed cringe inducing, to say the least. But I do admire him for this: When he first joined the tour, he could have been content to be a Top 10 player and perhaps even reach #3, always being a runner up to Federer and Nadal. And in fact, that's how I think virtually all the rest of the ATP had resigned themselves. But Djokovic wasn't going to be satisfied with that. He firmly set his sights on becoming No. 1, and he worked his butt off like crazy to achieve that goal. And for that he has my respect.

Sorry I love him but Rublev needs therapy it seems

R270 He just needs to come out. PERIOD!!

Lindsay Davenport's 16 yr old son Jagger is playing the junior tournament at the AO

He inherited all of his mom's worst features unfortunately.

[quote] He inherited all of his mom's worst features unfortunately.

He's fat?

He's not fat, so there's that. And look at Lindsay on the list, so out of place between those coke hoes Hingis and JCap.

Jagger seems to be half a man, just like his mom.

R276, I think the Swiss Miss said that about Amelie Mauresmo and not Davenport, but I could be wrong.

Yes, it was Mauresmo but a thicker Davenport was quite butch too

Hingis had enough forehead for the entire WTA.

Interesting story about Davenport was that she became a much better player--and began to win more titles and Majors--only after she embraced being a "jock." I always loved her groundstrokes. I saw her play at the U.S. Open one year and she had the cleanest ground strokes I've ever heard. It was as if she were hitting the ball in the dead center of the sweet spot and the ball would come off the strings with such a resonant "pock" sound unlike any other player I've seen play live.

Lindsay was 6 ft 160 in high school. She took a lot of shit, but she was a terror on the courts in So Cal. Can you imagine having to travel up to Palos Verdes to play CIF high school matches against her. She wiped every other high school player off the map as a youngling.

Her high school tennis story….

Yeah, R281, Davenport always struck me as someone who was awkward about being tall. I figured she shot up in height early and was taller than boys her age.

She was a large girl.

She came from money, made money, and married more money. She seems pretty cool these days.

And the biggest shock was that she was straight!

Female tennis players tend to break the lezdar

[quote] And the biggest shock was that she was straight!

No! She is a lesbian! They all are! All of them!

Doe-eyed Nuno Team

Cazaux Team

Cute Cam Team

Thiccmanovic Team

Davenport, IMO, was just a big woman ("she's from volleyball stock" as Mary Carillo used to say) - first tall and pudgy on a big frame, then just tall once she got in shape. She never even remotely struck me as "butch," though I get if you're that big, some people see that as a mark against femininity. She's always actually been quite girly, later even frau-ish. Her son really looks like her. Didn't know she had a kid playing.

[quote] Hingis had enough forehead for the entire WTA.

Keep your cap on!

Who was bitchier and cuntier Hingis or Capriati? Too bad they were friends and never had a cunt off.

Hingis. No contest

Hingis was definitely cuntier on court. Jen was pretty straight forward. She could get pissed, maybe question the chair and have a few extended arguments with the chair, but mostly she just got pissed at herself. She never had all the drama of Hingis on court. Hingis' cunt bona fides are historic for the 1999 French Open final alone. Off court, I don't know.

Remember how Davenport's parents didn't go to watch her matches? She acted like she was cool about it yet that article says that she isn't going to 'miss a ball' of her son's matches.

She had several children.

"Remember how Davenport's parents didn't go to watch her matches? She acted like she was cool about it yet that article says that she isn't going to 'miss a ball' of her son's matches."

I think it can make sense. She could genuinely not be bothered and yet still want to be different with her own kid. Her dad didn't go to many pro matches but her mom attended a lot.

Svitolina retires just 3 games and a MTO in, leaves court in tears. Never good to see. So that's Noskova into the QF.

Is madame monfils really injured or is it a matter of Czech kid is too powerful??

I know Svit hate losing and disappointing fans, maybe she knows she will lose?

I remember Lindsay's mom watching her matches but never her dad. The absence of her dad was certainly a departure from that era of women's tennis which was full of over the top, obnoxious or abusive tennis fathers

[quote] Is madame monfils really injured

G.E.M.S. injury.

Players wouldn't deliberately retire after just 3 games unless it's real. Breaking serve is normal on the WTA so you can easily make that up, or go on to win the next two sets.

Is Svit's clit hurt, y'all?

Yaz over Az.

This Ukranian chick kicked Vika in the cunt.

Azarenka had no answers . Miss Ukraine just pounced on her from the get go

don't get why people are so eager to get sweaty , dirty towels from the players

Is that cow Dokic still interviewing players?

Those towels are now $79 AUD (about $52 usd). Not bad a souvenir.

How is the first guy on the Rublev hug videos?

[quote]How is the first guy on the Rublev hug videos?

He's fine, he sends his love

Sorry.....R311....Who is the first guy on the Rublev hug videos?

Lol.....I think it's Marcos Borderias, his fitness coach

[quote] I think it's Marcos Borderias, his fitness coach

The padawan is correct.

[quote]He just needs to come out. PERIOD!!

Here he is with his special Finnish friend Emil Ruusuvuori (the male 'alphabet soup')

Med looks like he stinks. Just nasty, always picking his butt

[quote]Is that cow Dokic still interviewing players?

I feel bad for her because of all she's been through, but she really doesn't look healthy

Yeah, I sort of excuse Dokic because of all the shit she's endured. I can see her developing deep rooted eating issues to cope. At least she's willing to get out there and have a life - instead of being fat and depressed home alone.

I've never liked Hubie. I have nothing affirmatively against him, but I usually never root for him.

I don't like his involvement with the PTPA.

Daddy's girlfriend shows how big it is

That's her clit.

Beautiful Borges bounces back to take the third set against Medvedev.

Rublev will never come out even if he is gay. He is Russian after all. We all know how much Russia hates gays.

Norrie-Zverev going down to the wire deep in the 5th.

Kecmanovic serving quad and glute thiccness against Carlitos, but loses the first set 6-4

Well, Carlitos appears to be back in the groove. Pretty much annihilated Kecmanovic in the last set.

R326 Yay, this makes me happy!

bye Nuno :-(

Rublev also crosses himself every time he wins. It seems so strange to me to see an overtly religious European/Russian athlete.

I mean, I love him and all, but he's just weird.

But he obviously needs help, so maybe it's some sort of solace against his mental demons.

R329 I thought only Catholics did the cross thing? I assume he belongs to the Russian Orthodox church. It's interesting that Alcaraz, who is from Catholic Spain, doesn't seem very religious, yet Rublev is.

It's an individual thing, really. Some people just buy into religion and some don't. Culture does have an impact but Catholic Spain isn't super religious in my experience.

Why is that strange? Contemporary Russia is a religious society, while modern Spain most certainly is not.

Eastern/Russian Orthodox also cross themselves but the go from right shoulder to left, instead of the way Roman Catholics do it.

I think Carlos is not the exception, religion wise - Rublev is. I'm pretty sure the church is on a steep decline even in Spain (and Italy and Ireland... everywhere.) Except our unenlighened christofascist hellhole.... oops, forgot what thread I was in. I'll zip it.

New controversy? I have seen some criticism directed at Alcaraz for not being able (or willing) to name a WTA player.

I follow a young Russian guy (NFKRZ) who's escaped from Russia to Georgia, and he was surprised how religious Georgians are, especially the older ones. He said nobody he knew in Russia was religious. I think Putin uses it for propaganda and the people are... kinda sorta going along but not really devout. After so many years without religion, surely they can't just do a sudden u-turn...

Well, there's Rublev. There's always a few outliers. Russia's Muslims are probably religious.

R332 Yeah, I'd agree. I remember going to Spain something like 20 years ago and there were multiple gay couples holding hands in public. It was a bit mind blowing. Now in my country that's not unusual but 20 years ago going to Spain and seeing that was so Spain was ahead of the curve that way.

Regarding Hingis v. Capriati in terms of cuntiness, I think there's a big difference. To me, there was much more of a nasty "mean girls" edge to Hingis, who seemed to delight in putting down others, especially when she was at the top of the WTA. So I took pleasure in watching her get her comeuppance--i.e., the 1999 French Open final against Steffi Graf.

Just finished watching the highlights. Alcaraz was on fire!

I think that, after a sluggish start, both Alcaraz and Djokovic have found their grooves. Could be an epic final if they both get there.

I'll happily go with a less epic Djokovic loss in the quarters or semis.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Apologies for the link to a site DL apparently abhors. Here's another link to puts Hingis in frontrunner position for the WTA See You Next Tuesday championships.

Hearing what a bitch she is, I'm glad Martina Hingis was the first person booted off Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.

And I barely knew who she was - she was kicked out of tennis in 2008 for cocaine abuse? Is that a performance drug? I would have figured they all did coke.

Looking forward to Sinner/Rublev match. I'll be sad whichever one loses.

I won't be sad at all if Sinner loses. Though, I expect him to win.

Melanie Molitor looks like she'd cut a bitch.

Oh, she has. More than once I’m sure.

R346 well, she certainly gave birth to one!

[quote]I think Alcaraz ... wouldn't say no to a BJ from the right guy

His trainer is there to keep him happy and provide release. It's so obvious - and one of the strategies to keep him from tomcatting & being distracted from his game.

What I'd give to have THAT job!

R349 Ferrero isn't even in Australia. Apparently he had surgery or something.

Daddy Team or Novaxx Team?

Il Gingio Team or Woobie Team?

Daddy Team

Il Gingio Team (Back up to beat NoVaxxx when Daddy inevitably loses)

Daddy Fritz team by far.

I’m undecided between the two gingers. I will be with the team most likely to beat Novaxx.

Daddy

Rublev - even though Sinner has a much better chance at beating Novak. I don't like Sinner.

What time evening session start at Oz Open?

I'm a bit scared for Coco Puffs. These Ukranian chicks are on a tear!

Non-tennis player here.

So the mantra seems to be that playing doubles is great for any player's skills.

Yet, none of the top singles players seem to ever play doubles. And most of the doubles players never play singles 'with their sharpened skills'.

What's up with that?

Both used to play more often. But considering how physical the game has become it is very physically taxing to play both as a top player assuming you will be going deep in both draws. It might be easier in smaller tour events and for the WTA who only play best of three in slams. But gone are the days where the top players play both and meeting a doubles specialist in an early round could give you some trouble with the serve and volley tactics because those all just mainly stick to doubles now. But even in eras before women played both more because the top players won more easily. Now the fields are much deeper and easy wins aren't as normal.

R357, in previous tennis generations, many more top singles players played doubles. At one time it was a necessary source additional income for some players, but that reason has largely passed. Now most top players tend to focus on singles more, but there are exceptions - like Krejcikova. So doubles players generally don't do as well in singles as they used to because they're by and large not top singles players. As far as skill-transfer, doubles will definitely help with developing volleying skills and directing a serve return to a specific place (as the returner in doubles is trying to avoid the player at the net. But, it may be overrstated. Those skills can still be learned without playing doubles. There are still some notable women who play doubles. Men much less so- especially at Slams. More male top players will dabble outside of Slams, but it's just dabbling - tournament to tournament - not a commitment to play doubles consistently. And the number of men who never play doubles is way higher than it was in previous decades. But, it's been that way for a while.

R357- serena and Venus played a lot of doubles

#2 - Sabalaenka was a doubles champion winning multiple grand slams a few years back

# 9 Babs Krej. Is a top doubles player

Even Iga used to play doubles

#18 Azarenka plays doubles

Coco and Pegula are a top 5 doubles

^^ they skipped playing doubles at the AO

Some top players - who aren't full-time doubles players - will occasionally enter doubles or mixed at a tournament and "leave their partner at the alter" - i.e., pull out of doubles if they advance to a certain point in singles. I think most partners in that situation know that it can happen, but it still sucks for them.

Venus and Serena have a huge amount of Slam doubles titles. Hingis (including many before she played doubles only after she retired from singles), Clijsters, ASV, Pierce, Davenport are a few not just "top" singles players, but Slam-winning singles players, who all won doubles Slams. Back in the day, Graf and Sabatini won a Slam title together before they stopped playing doubles.

Get up coco! We love you

While I can't help liking Kostyuk, she's frustrating to watch because she's so inconsistent so I don't trust her to keep this going. Also, Gauff has had a lot of break points but been unable to take them.

Kostyuk team or Call Me Coco team?

ova, Krejcik team or She-Hulk team?

Coco and she hulk

Women's tennis in action - Gauff was down 5-1 and now it's 5-5.

Hurry up Coco! We want Daddy!

Chok…e—

Both of them are trying to out-choke the other.

Coco upup 1 set

This Gauff-Kostyuk match has been ridiculously bad. Horrendous playing from both of them.

Compelling.

Another tie break?

[quote]Lindsay Davenport's 16 yr old son Jagger is playing the junior tournament at the AO

That kid must be a giant if he's dwarfing his mom. FWIW, Lindsay Davenport is the only cis-woman that I ever felt towered by. I already told the story here. I was at Roland Garros, waiting near the entrance to leave and I heard a female voice speaking just behind my back coming from what seemed way above my shoulders. I'm 6'1" so I was WTF? I turned around and there she was: Miss Lindsay Davenport, 6'3" dans toute sa splendeur de top 5 of women's tennis.

But you have to remember that was back in the day. Nowadays I wouldn't be surprised to be towered by so many Davenport girls: Kennedy, Sahara, Honey...

Third set of shite coming up

Novak and Fritz are antsy to play

Slava Ukraini!

Coco Puffs!!!please don't let that chick back in the match!

If Coco plans to play like that against Sabalenka, then she is toast

While I hope Daddy Fritz beats Novaxx, I'll likely be asleep during most of the match.

Go Daddy!

I can't stand Nick the Dick but his weird ESPN work for sets here and there made me like him a little more. I found him annoying on the Netflix show and the weird girlfriend was fug. He's smarter and little more fuckable now. I'd hit in now but not talk about it.

This game is 15 mins. both are hitting well.

NoVaxx was frantically waving and yelling at his team for something. He needs his drugs!

That's what I was thinking!

[quote] He needs his drugs!

Creatina!

When they did a closeup it looked like Djokovic had wet his pants.

Let me guess, Novak broke Fritz to take the set or he killed him in a tiebreak?

(Last I saw, the score was 4-4 in the first)

Fritz hung in there and fended off break points to get to 5-5. Three stupid misses at 5-5 on Novak's serve - could possibly have had a chance to break. Then wins his serve at 5-6 and proceeds to play a horrendous tiebreak,

Fritz blew two set points and then Djokovic steamrolled him in the tiebreak.

Daddy played well. We will see how he begins the next set and whether he will feel he can be in it or if it will be dejected. He's looks hot though. Novak is better looking but completely sexless. Fritz is much sexier because of the big dick American frat boy cockiness. And because we know he's horny.

So exactly as I thought.

Fucking Novaxx. He just can't lose. I really hate him. Haha.

Finally, Daddy takes an opportunity.

NoVaxxx's box looks like The Addams Family. Freaks, all!

Daddy glows.

I wouldn't wanna hang out with him a lot but I would love to be his side piece. And get all the sex he doesn't get out with the PP.

Papi!

Yes Daddy!

The PP looked so bitchy when Djoker got 3 set points on Fritz's serve. I could almost see the cogs turning in her mind about how him losing is not good for her publicity drive.

Mohammed Lahyani: YOU DID BAKE COOKIES FOR ME, DIDN'T YOU?

Seriously, I think that the majority of chair umpires are gay: you cannot have a family and be on the road across continents 46 weeks out of 52, that's just not an option. And I know the sport industry is still highly homophobic but if you have to carve an exception for one sport, it would probably be tennis. You just need to go over to tennis warehouse and the only references I see to dating are guys having dates with other dudes and Runes has an apocalyptic bad rap because he once used a gay slur. I mean come on, which other sports have forums like that? Okay, maybe figure ice skating and diving too. The women's tennis forum I know also reads like the lchat and in 2024 the WTA top four women seem to be Martina Navratilova, Amelie Mauresmo, Billie Jean King and that traitorous bisexual Maria Sharapova.

PP fist pumping support for Taylor but as she looks away, she can't hide her contempt.

Oh man, they got Nick Kyrgios on to interview Djokovic after his match and the tension is off the charts.

Fritz fucked it up. He had set points in the first set but stil lost it.

Djokovic had a ton more break points than Fritz in the first set though. Probability-wise, he was always far more likely to win.

Yeah, Fritz just can't beat Novak. He just doesn't have the game. I guess he put up a good fight, all things considered.

But Carlos and Sinner are the only hopes.

I guess the hope now is Sinner can at least go 5 with Novak even if he doesn't win. A long quarter and a long semi might actually take enough out of Novak to give Carlitos an advantage in the Final... assuming he gets there!

PP power

She-Hulk is rolling over Barbora.

Bring out the gingers!

Is it true that Sinner is injured?

Well. That's done. Happy for Sinner. Sad for Rublev.

It was difficult watching Kyrgios interview Djokovic after the match against Fritz. Even though they kidded around with each other in a lighthearted conversation, Kyrgios had a sad look in his eyes, as if he were thinking, "Hmmm, I should be the one being interviewed on this court."

Why isn't nick playing?

Sad? He is a Novaxx fan boy, there was no sadness there..

I'm in the unenviable position of rooting for Sinner over Novak. I don't know what it is, Sinner seems pretty benign. The constant fist pumping and stares to the box bugs, but plenty of players do that, and he seems like a nice guy. Yet, I don't like him (as a tennis entity) and rarely root for him. But this is one of those times I'll route for him.

Poor Woobie.

The way Sinner came back at him in the second set tie-break was, dare I say it, Novak-like. After that Andrey was never winning.

Sinner has made it all the way to the semis without dropping a set.

[quote]Why isn't nick playing?

Apparently he's still injured, he only played 1 match in 2023. He can use his protected ranking of #21 until March 2024, after that he has to rely on wild cards

" But this is one of those times I'll route for him."

Root. Lol.

Sinner has an insane game. Once he puts everything together and if he can stay healthy? He'll be very tough to beat. He's got every shot. And then some.

Maybe this is his tournament where he pulls it all together. He's at age, historically, when phenoms either transcend to the top of the game or get the dubious tag of best player who never wins a slam.

I used to say Sinner always looks great and "scary" until he doesn't. But the length of time to when he doesn't is getting longer, and I think eventually he'll make it all the way through a Slam playing well and win. I want to see him and Alcaraz in the final because Sinner bugs Carlos, but Carlos is the more accomplished player at this point.

R420, I think a Sinner/Alcarez final is exactly what tennis needs.

They play epic matches. They're young. And the could very well be the Rafa/Novak for the next ten years or so.

They'd be better than Rafa/Novak, as neither one of them is a cunt!

Second pic.

I have a bad feeling Alcaraz will lose to Zverev tomorrow. Hope I'm wrong though. Even if he does, getting to the QF in all slams at such a young age is huge. Even if losing would be a bit disappointing. He had a very difficult draw, with Zverev and Medvedev. The only difficult player Djokovic will have to face before the final is Sinner.

Hubie Team or Little Cat Team?

Sascha Team or Carlitos Team?

Team Little Cat (I love that guy)

Team Carlitos

"Even if he does, getting to the QF in all slams at such a young age is huge."

I really don't think age matters that much once a player is established. Alcaraz has won two Slams. It's not "huge" for him to make a quarterfinal. I get it; in the broader landscape of tennis, to make a Slam QF is a remarkable accomplishment for 99.8 percent of players, and it was for Alcaraz before he established his champion bona fides. But Alcaraz is one of the special players who could go on to be an ATG (all time great). Him and his team aren't sitting around thinking it would be huge if he makes the QF.

R423, could you please put a warning on those links? I was having a pleasant lunch that almost lost its way down.

Small Cat Team.

R419- he’s not as good in the forecourt as Alcaraz. He’s murder on the baseline. He’s improved his serve. Carlos has the more complete game- but the two year age difference in experience is pretty big. If the both stay healthy for the next 10 or 15 years, I have no doubt Carlos will rack up more slams.

Small Cat team.

Alcaraz (Garfia) team.

ova, Nosk team or Yastremska team?

Kalinskaya team or Zheng team?

Blimey. Hubie looked down and out in the middle of the 4th set, but roars back to break Medvedev twice and force a decider!

Med!

R430 I don't think Sinner is as good as Carlos. Certainly not now. Carlos is already the best of his generation. Easily. Sinner MIGHT become the second best - with an outside chance of being the best.

But he has to pull it together before he's considered anything other than a phenom with a ton of talent.

Zverev will be hard for Alcaraz to beat. Reminder he has a positive H2H against Alcaraz and is a very good top 10 player. We haven't had an upset yet. Will this be the first upset? I predict Alcaraz will have an off day and Zverev will be solid, as usual. I think Zverev will win in 5.

Margaret Court is in the house!

omg. I know she's 81 and it's summer in Oz, but can't she wrap a thin scarf around that neck?

Ew.

And I can't believe Kalinskaya is in the QF. She's such a weak player. Zheng really should crush her.

Next up, the Rod and Marge Turkey Neck Waddle-Off.

Tarabini has bad sun damage as well. Check out this picture of a woman who used sunscreen on her face for 40 years but not on her neck.

Barty is going to play a pro golf tournament on February 29th. I still can't believe she quit when at her peak. She would clean up in this weak era.

I wonder how much all that gold around Zverev's neck would fetch at a pawnbroker's.

Carlitos needs to get a grip... and fast!

Sascha is playing out of a tree at the moment.

Damm

Get up Carlitos, we like you!

Not looking good for Alchie, unfortunately. Much as I loath Zverev, he’s been playing incredibly well. Even his forehand is bearing up to Alcaraz’s onslaught.

I haven't seen Zverev give such a beatdown since Valentines Day

Wow, Carlos just wow

Get up Carlos, we love you!

I'm currently contemplating a NoVaxxx/Ratface final. The ATP hits rock bottom.

Wow. Just in the nick of time, Carlitos turns up the heat and roars right back.

You feel that if Alcaraz can pull this off and win this match after being 2 sets and 3-5 down and , it'll set back Zverev mentally a couple of years!

🤮

Even if you win the rat race, you're still a rat.

Carlos is golden and 100 percent fuckable but still makes mistakes. He shouldn't have said that he wanted to play Novaxx in the final. Also, he may be more of a homebody who does better in Europe. The travel is a killer. He didn't play well in China either.

I hate the media fawning. Someone asked him if he gives tongue on a first kiss, embarrassing and the sponsors, Calvin Klein, understandable, Louis Vuitton, ridiculous.

Legz Plus Zhang make it to the men's doubles semis.

Yes, R456, but I guess he's dating Siniakova.

Yes, R456, but I guess he's dating Siniakova.

[...]

I've never liked Zverev, but I gotta admit that I would have felt badly for him had he ended up letting that match against Alcaraz slip away after being up two sets to love. I really thought that they were going to five sets, with Alcaraz eventually winning but then, just as it looked like Alcaraz was going to take full control, he uncharacteristically seemed to let some doubts slip into his mind and, before he could recover, Zverez had closed the match. I have to wonder if the result would have been different had Juan Carlos Ferrero been there.

Legz+ !!!

If the presence or absence of his coach is the difference-maker, R460, then Alcaraz has some serious work to do.

I'm still pulling for Meddy and Sinner to get to the finals, but with all my faves gone, apathy is setting in. Looking ahead instead to the winter indoor season and the South American clay swing.

Ugh. So Novak, as I predicted, will walk to the win.

I'm officially done with male tennis until he's over.

Can't wait for Coco v She Hulk. I love both.

I knew Alcaraz would lose. Had a really bad feeling before the match. It still sucks though. Abuserev winning is gross. It makes me sick. I'm so depressed. Alcaraz let me down. I'm sad, angry and annoyed. I might take a break from tennis for a while. Alcaraz is the only one I like. I don't care for anyone else. When he is in a slump I have no reason to watch. I have lost all faith in him. I'm not a fan anymore. He's a stupid braindead mug.

R465, I get that sentiment. I think we were SO spoiled with Rafa and Fed and Novak. Love or hate them, they rarely lost to anyone except to each other in Slams. Maybe Murray scored a few wins.

I just don't think that will happen again.

I don't miss the Big Three domination at all. It got monotonous. But at least Rafa was fun to watch and was almost invariably upbeat and professional, and Federer was as well after his early brat years. Djokovic has been a slog for the last dozen years. A complete blight on the tennis landscape.

Agree 100% R467. Novak is the absolute worse and I wish he would just go away.

I think I meant more that "loving" a top players (Sinner, Carlos, Med, whoever) is going to look very different now. They will lose more than they win. So we have to get used to Carlos (or whoever) crashing out in the QF in way that rarely happened with Rafa et al. And it won't be the end of the world

It'l be more like the Pete and Andre years. And I think it might be more fun! Even if it's more frustrating to root for your fav!

I agree, r462, and I much preferred when on-court coaching wasn't allowed and players had to figure things out for themselves. I guess I'm "old school" but I've always felt that that kind of problem solving was part and parcel of being a tennis player.

R469, I also think that when Alcaraz asks for help from his coach it tells his opponent that he is doing the right thing. That seemed to be a factor in his defeat by Medvedev at the USO.

I'm rooting for Gauff but she didn't play well at all in the QF so she will need to step it up a lot to have a chance.

Zheng should be the favorite against Yastremska but if Yastremska ends up being the AO champ I will laugh my head off - it would be very peak WTA.

I just saw the following stat: Zverev's career stands at 55-1 when securing a 2-0 lead in sets. The lone defeat unfolded in the monumental 2020 US Open final against Dominic Thiem. Wow, I always had the impression that, until recently, Zverev was somewhat fragile in terms of closing out matches.

That 2020 U.S. Open final was monumentally bad. Both of them should be ashamed of that match.

R473, that match proved how important the crowd is. If the stands hadn’t been empty due to COVID, the drunks yelling their heads off would have forced them to play better.

Anyone staying up or getting up for women' semis?

Staying up! It's too late now to go to bed and get up . I'm on the east coast

This first set between Coco and Saba is such high level tennis.

Both are killing it (it's 5-5 in the first for me)! Just a blast to watch.

Come on coco!

Sheesh, Sabalenka is just pummeling that ball

Coco should be proud. She played very well against She Hulk

Quality match between Sabs and Gauff. Coco looked SO much better than her QF. Sablenka kept coming and was just too much.

Legz+ and Z-cubed lost in dubs :-(

Saba was incredible. She's a bit like Serena. When she's on? No one is beating her.

But I remember, about a year ago, I really thought Coco was all hype. I was so wrong. She's going to win 5 or 6 slams. She's got so much fight. And her backhand is incredible. She adapts well too.

Legz+ and ZZ rallied in their match - were down big in the third set and in the tiebreak, but couldn't get it done. I hope Legz+ continues to be a presence on tour. How old is Bopanna now?

Bopanna is 43(!)

Novaxx Team or Il Gingio Team?

Small Cat Team or Wife Beater Team?

Il Gingio team.

Small Cat team.

R486, no preference in the Small Cat/Wife Beater match?

Il Gingio Team

Small Cat Team

GingioCat Teams

Creatina Team!

Novaxx looks like a Skid Row addict getting his fix there. Just add track marks and missing teeth. We already have the maniacal withdrawal symptoms.

May the many gods above shine down on us all and give II Gingio the combined power of Jesus Christ, Zeus, Allah, and Princess Diana to defeat thy sole enemy: Novaxx.

Rooting for Sinner (which I usually don't do). I liked Med, so primarily rooting for him. I like Zverev's game and it would be wild if he won the title.

Wild as in here's a guy who should have been thrown out of the ATP, but instead he's won millions taking a Slam title?

I don't even know what happened with Zverev. I know there's been (multiple?) abuse allegations from partners. How were the cases resolved? - actual lawsuits and criminal proceedings, settlements? And I didn't know he could have bee thrown out by the ATP. That would mean there would have to be some sort of official finding because I'd assume the ATP isn't going to kick anyone else based on allegations, no matter how terrible.

I am untouchable.

Zverev has one case coming to trial in late May.

Ben Rothenberg explains it all!

I don't think anybody can legitimately disqualify Zverev for allegations without a final ruling/finding.

However, what Zverev did at the Mexican Open should have been enough to get him kicked out for good.

[quote]Bopanna is 43(!)

Pretty crazy he's the new men's doubles no. #1

R487 no, I don't really have a preference. I want to like Small Cat but his gamesmanship rubs me the wrong way.

I didn't know Bopanna hasn't won a Slam doubles title yet. I thought he had a few. He's made two other finals before this AO, and several other SFs. Rooting for him to win his first Slam. He has won a mixed doubles Slam.

Hawtie Simone Bolelli is in the mens dubs finals.

Look at this DC final picture. With the exception of the two in the middle, hawtness all around.

Bolelli and Fog won it back in 2015

Bolelli: You want me to fuck you in the locker room?

Rafa: Si.

Hmm. Sounds like a (constructive) dig at Zverev.

Why do people call Meddy Small Cat, because Mecir was Big Cat?

"Hmm. Sounds like a (constructive) dig at Zverev."

Dokic was a victim herself. I don't think it was a dig.

I'm so excited crazy Big Sable is back in the finals!

SMALL CAT.

'Small Cat' emanates from a post-loss(?) interview where Med used the term to describe himself. I forget the context of it all. But its cute AF.

Medvedev called the umpire a small cat.

Same r483, I always supported Coco and wanted her to do well but deep down I always thought it was all hype. She has sproven me wrong and I am now even more of a fan. Go Coco Puffs!

[quote] Princess Diana

I lovebit, r492

I always thought big Sable was Serena like, hope she gets a couple grand slams this year

Sablenka is 6 feet! Dios mio

Bee movie.

I know, R516, so short! How does she do it?

OMG! OMG! It's about to start.

I refuse to watch. I shall get updates here and only here.

I'm already so pumped! Go Sinner

Jannikkkkkkkkk!!!

Il Gingio team.

So grating to have Chris Fowler there year after year. I'd mute whenever he speaks if I could do so effectively.

Creatina!!

BWAHAHAHA!

6-1 first set

Who'd have thought Sinner would be the guy to have Novaxx's number.

When Happy Slam over?

McEnroe is crying for Novaxx, I love his delicious tears

[quote] Rod Laver stunned as anyone

How can they tell? He looks catatonic.

[quote] Rarely has he had this level of crowd support in his incredible journey of 24 majors.

Yeah, Chris, because he's an absolute ass.

I'm a proud member of Il Gingio team.

I sense Novaxx is waking up

I am GOAT.

BWAHAHAHA!

I'm guessing it's time for them to mix Novaxx some speed/meth/crack or whatever it is.

[quote] Zeus

And Princess Diana.

[quote] some speed/meth/crack or whatever it is.

Creatina!

Watch him take the next three sets in tiebreakers.

Ha, creatine is so obviously a lie - creatine is a powder and you wouldn't need to take it in the middle of a match. It's some kind of fast acting and short lived upper that's inhaled as a gas.

I wonder whether "Nole" will end up saying "Тако боли."

Forza Jannik

I need to go to sleep soon unfortunately. I hope this is over in the third set.

The gas inhaled can't be tested

Is this where we talk about Pickleball Slam 2?

He is making that noise thing he did at Wimbledon to distract Sinner

No r546. Go away

Creatina has collapsed!

Hallelujah

Idiot Fowler, while sitting next to John McEnroe, says something to the effect that protests can be expected at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open but conveniently forgets that McEnroe and Martina Navritilova protested on court by urging the renaming of Margaret Court Court to Evonne Goolagong Arena.

My nerves are shredded!

Jannnnikkkkkkk

Forza Jannik!

Oh I fear Sinner will lose the match

I have to go to sleep. I hope I wake up to a Novaxx defeat.

Told you (R540).

I still think Sinner will win. It was a close tie break/set. If he keeps playing well, he'll get his chances.

Kyrgios in that awful baseball cap and hoodie comes off as disrespectful.

Yes, Sinner is able to get chances.

& Peppa is into the doubles final.

Kyrios is such a try hard

*deep breaths*

Ace!

Yay! I'm so happy.

I'll Gingio team!

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!

OMG OMG OMG OMG

JANNIĶĶKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

So.... Il Gingio has beaten NoVaxxx 3X in their last 4 matches. That's got to start effecting Djokovic.

Truly in dominant fashion

Shinner!

I needed extra-strength Creatina!

Came looks dressed looking for a sneak hook up.

New thread for when this one ends:

Someone needs to tell Mr. Courier that tight clothes aren't a good look for him.

R574 he's looking to entice.

This is NOW the Happy Slam!

And failing, R575.

I'd hit it but Cames likes younger cock. He used to swoon over Young Grigor. Who I actually think is more handsome now.

Small Cat team or A. Zverev team?

Great on court interview by Jannik. Very humble, grounded, and a light, dry sense of humour.

Could this FINALLY be the end of Novak?

Rafa's 2022 US Open was where he just nose-dived. Almost out of nowhere. He'd won the Aussie and the French and made the Wimby SF then just tanked at the Open. He was 36 I think.

Can't remember Fed's sudden decline, but it was also around age 36-37.

I think this will mark the point when Djokovic's Mojo got up and put the final nail in the Big 3 coffin.

Big 4.

Sooooo glad that nasty Djokovic is gone. Well done Sinner you really played well.

The rest of the tournament is just frosting on the cake.

I expect She-Hulk to win on the women’s side.

What a great way to start the day off!!

Novaxx finally taken down, and by such a nice guy.

Thanks, r573.

I wonder why Muriel’s not blocking these threads any more. Is she suddenly lusting after some tennis player?

R587, Muriel quieres mi culo, no?

Su-Wei Hsieh and Jan Zielinski are the mixed doubles champions

Zverev has a 4-1 HtH over Sinner, winning the last 4 matches. Medvedev 6-3 but Sinner has won the last 3 matches they played. Sinner might prefer to take on Medvedev in the final.

Sinner is on a hot streak, R560. And his game is bigger than both Med and Zverev. If he plays like he played tonight? He wins either way.

Despite the H2H, I bet he would rather have Zverev. He's a bigger choker than Med.

Yes, agree, he ought to win either way. I know hindsight is everything but it's still tragic that Zverev lost to Thiem in that USO final.

R592, I disagree. Thiem was such an amazing player from 2017-2020. If it wasn't for Rafa and Novak, he would have another slam or two for sure for sure. I am glad he got at least one slam. At the time, he was the better player than Zverev, even if Zverev really should have won that match.

Thiem's fall from tennis greatness has been one of those hard to understand things that happen in sports.

R593 Be honest, you like him for his ass. I'm half-joking!

Zverev has Dracula teeth. Quite prominent fangs.

Small cat fighting back to level up after being 2 sets down.

Hopefully Ratface is having nightmares of his US Open Final FLOP.

SMALL CAT BEATS BIG RAT

A perfect ending for Zverez's AO.

This is from last year, but Carlitos posed for a picture with DL fave Carl Nassib

Happy to close this thread celebrating the departure of the two top ATP villains from AO '24.

Adios