Tennis League All Thread

[romero121]

The second set was very close and that was the toughest part of the match for Djokovic, losing that set will bring him into a more difficult battle and Medvedev will have a chance to beat him but it cannot be denied that Grand Slams and tie breaks are the best part of Djokovic, it is difficult to break his dominance in during the tie break, but Medvedev played very well in that set.

After Medvedev lost the first set and went into the dressing room for a break, he must have gained strength from whatever. The rallies lasted longer and longer and cost Djokovic a lot of energy and he had to take a deep breath more often. But in the tiebreak, he managed to win the last three points in a row and thus also won set 2. I think that underlined his mental strength.

A bit disappointed  it was a three set final match, frankly, I was expecting a 5 set thriller from such top players like Nole and Medvedev. After the match in the press conference, Nole said that the outcome was logical as he was underperforming two years ago when he lost to Medvedev. A bit disrespectful from a 24 time GS champion he starts to sound like Ostapenko ir something. 

After the Wimbledon and Cincinnati Masters final match between Alcaraz and Djokovic, the expectation on final matches have increased. This time things didn't go much competing, however a tie breaker set was something interesting in the match.

It was during the 2021 US Open Medvedev won against Djokovic 6-4 6-4 6-4. During that year he won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. The loss wasn't an expected as Djokovic was in good form winning three majors. Maybe he had remembered those disappointing days that triggered him for those words.

[1715584689]

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[1715584689]

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[aoluain]

The second set was very close and that was the toughest part of the match for Djokovic, losing that set will bring him into a more difficult battle and Medvedev will have a chance to beat him but it cannot be denied that Grand Slams and tie breaks are the best part of Djokovic, it is difficult to break his dominance in during the tie break, but Medvedev played very well in that set.

After Medvedev lost the first set and went into the dressing room for a break, he must have gained strength from whatever. The rallies lasted longer and longer and cost Djokovic a lot of energy and he had to take a deep breath more often. But in the tiebreak, he managed to win the last three points in a row and thus also won set 2. I think that underlined his mental strength.

A bit disappointed  it was a three set final match, frankly, I was expecting a 5 set thriller from such top players like Nole and Medvedev. After the match in the press conference, Nole said that the outcome was logical as he was underperforming two years ago when he lost to Medvedev. A bit disrespectful from a 24 time GS champion he starts to sound like Ostapenko ir something.  

Yea it was a dissapointing final between the numbers 2 and 3 seeded players. I'll
bet the organisers were delighted before the match that such high ranked players
were contesting the final and that it had the promise of going over the three sets.

Djokovich is a good talker and maybe he didnt consider that statement about last
year maybe is was a swipe at Medvedev, maybe not.

Anyway he is still on top of his game and Medvedev has still a bit of development
to do to get up to his level, the only player who can really put it up to him consistently
is Alcaraz.

[Strongkored]

There will still be more wins for Djokovic, more Grand Slam Titles with the way he played in the finals of the US Open. His target will now be to set a record that will be difficult to beat for any other player. He surely still has the ability to do so, I do not think he will stop playing Tennis any time soon.

He will be more selective in choosing the tournaments he will participate in during the year, which is important because his age will no longer support him from playing in many tournaments. Apart from trying to add more the Grand Slam title, he will of course also try to achieve Olympic gold, an achievement that he has not managed to get and the opportunity is only at the 2024 Paris Olympics, getting Olympic gold will make all his titles complete, and his record will remain for quite a long time, Alcaraz will be a player who is predicted to be able to replace the big three and it looks like he can do it seeing how he has been quite consistent in his tennis career so far only injury was his biggest obstacle.

[BALIK]

After Medvedev lost the first set and went into the dressing room for a break, he must have gained strength from whatever. The rallies lasted longer and longer and cost Djokovic a lot of energy and he had to take a deep breath more often. But in the tiebreak, he managed to win the last three points in a row and thus also won set 2. I think that underlined his mental strength.

A bit disappointed  it was a three set final match, frankly, I was expecting a 5 set thriller from such top players like Nole and Medvedev. After the match in the press conference, Nole said that the outcome was logical as he was underperforming two years ago when he lost to Medvedev. A bit disrespectful from a 24 time GS champion he starts to sound like Ostapenko ir something.  

Yea it was a dissapointing final between the numbers 2 and 3 seeded players. I'll
bet the organisers were delighted before the match that such high ranked players
were contesting the final and that it had the promise of going over the three sets.

Djokovich is a good talker and maybe he didnt consider that statement about last
year maybe is was a swipe at Medvedev, maybe not.

Anyway he is still on top of his game and Medvedev has still a bit of development
to do to get up to his level, the only player who can really put it up to him consistently
is Alcaraz.

Inconsistency is a problem for Medvedev. He should definitely have done better in this final against Novak Djokovic. I expected this match to go on for more than three seats, but that did not happen. He was able to give some trouble to Novak Djokovic in the second set. I thought the third set was going to be very close, but that did not happen. Novak Djokovic was able to win all three sets. And I actually agree, that probably only Alcaraz can actually give him a tough fight consistently.

[bct_ail]

And I actually agree, that probably only Alcaraz can actually give him a tough fight consistently.

I agree. And I think most people would have liked to see a final between Djokovic and Alcaraz. But Alcaraz did not do us that favour. And Daniil Medvedev played a great match against Alcaraz in the semi-final. But in the final it seems his mental strength has not been strong enough.

By the way: Which tournament will Djokovic and Alcaraz play next?

[serveria.com]

After Medvedev lost the first set and went into the dressing room for a break, he must have gained strength from whatever. The rallies lasted longer and longer and cost Djokovic a lot of energy and he had to take a deep breath more often. But in the tiebreak, he managed to win the last three points in a row and thus also won set 2. I think that underlined his mental strength.

A bit disappointed  it was a three set final match, frankly, I was expecting a 5 set thriller from such top players like Nole and Medvedev. After the match in the press conference, Nole said that the outcome was logical as he was underperforming two years ago when he lost to Medvedev. A bit disrespectful from a 24 time GS champion he starts to sound like Ostapenko ir something.  

Yea it was a dissapointing final between the numbers 2 and 3 seeded players. I'll
bet the organisers were delighted before the match that such high ranked players
were contesting the final and that it had the promise of going over the three sets.

Djokovich is a good talker and maybe he didnt consider that statement about last
year maybe is was a swipe at Medvedev, maybe not.

Anyway he is still on top of his game and Medvedev has still a bit of development
to do to get up to his level, the only player who can really put it up to him consistently
is Alcaraz.

Inconsistency is a problem for Medvedev. He should definitely have done better in this final against Novak Djokovic. I expected this match to go on for more than three seats, but that did not happen. He was able to give some trouble to Novak Djokovic in the second set. I thought the third set was going to be very close, but that did not happen. Novak Djokovic was able to win all three sets. And I actually agree, that probably only Alcaraz can actually give him a tough fight consistently.

Speaking about Alcaraz btw, he was not on top of his game in NY. He wasn't injured or had some other kind of known issue. His loss against Medvedev was a bit unexpected.  

[aoluain]

Simona Halep says she's 'never doped' after being given four-year ban from tennis

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2023/sep/13/simona-halep-says-shes-never-doped-after-being-given-four-year-ban-from-tennis-video

Big news - again a doping scandal visits Tennis although its been a while, the last I think
was Maria Sharapova. A 4 year ban from tennis is very hefty. She is currently 31 so likely
this is the end of her career.

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

[bct_ail]

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

I think every athlete (in any sport) who wants to be and stay in the world elite takes substances that are not allowed. One does it smarter and the other gets caught. It is a farce to talk about a sport without doping. Even Amateur athletes take permitted substances to get better.  At some point the body and the genetics reach a limit and one cannot go any further. Then one have to make a decision. Whether not to play at the top or to take illegal performance-enhancing substances to get to the top of the world. Very few people would decide against it.

[BALIK]

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

I think every athlete (in any sport) who wants to be and stay in the world elite takes substances that are not allowed. One does it smarter and the other gets caught. It is a farce to talk about a sport without doping. Even Amateur athletes take permitted substances to get better.  At some point the body and the genetics reach a limit and one cannot go any further. Then one have to make a decision. Whether not to play at the top or to take illegal performance-enhancing substances to get to the top of the world. Very few people would decide against it.

I actually disagree. If people are consistent enough, they do not have to use these things in my opinion. You have to be very disciplined and have to maintain consistency as a player to actually reach the top of the competition. If any kind of performance enhancing drug is introduced in this situation, and more people are actually performing well than they should be, it is not going to be special anymore, is it?

There have been people who have been playing, consistently at the top of the competition for a very long time without taking anything like those. And that’s how it should be. That creates more competition in my opinion. And without those performance enhancing things, people will know that they have to work hard. And there is no other way. But I do agree on one thing some people do it smart and the others get caught.

[Joca97]

And I actually agree, that probably only Alcaraz can actually give him a tough fight consistently.

I agree. And I think most people would have liked to see a final between Djokovic and Alcaraz. But Alcaraz did not do us that favour. And Daniil Medvedev played a great match against Alcaraz in the semi-final. But in the final it seems his mental strength has not been strong enough.

By the way: Which tournament will Djokovic and Alcaraz play next?

Medvedev was just too good for Alcaraz in the semis and that decided the winner. Alcaraz won a lot with his young age but we cannot expect from him to always play the finals. I think they will play either in Paris or in the final tournament of the year because i dont think Djokovic will play much.

[serveria.com]

Simona Halep says she's 'never doped' after being given four-year ban from tennis

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2023/sep/13/simona-halep-says-shes-never-doped-after-being-given-four-year-ban-from-tennis-video

Big news - again a doping scandal visits Tennis although its been a while, the last I think
was Maria Sharapova. A 4 year ban from tennis is very hefty. She is currently 31 so likely
this is the end of her career.

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

I know that many players are going through regular doping tests but I'm not sure about superstars like Djokovic etc. These top guys are so valuable for ATP they bring in most of the ticket sale profits so I presume ATP are not checking them so rigorously if you know what I mean.

I know that Rafa had some "medical condition" allowing him to take some special medicine. 

[aoluain]

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

I think every athlete (in any sport) who wants to be and stay in the world elite takes substances that are not allowed. One does it smarter and the other gets caught. It is a farce to talk about a sport without doping. Even Amateur athletes take permitted substances to get better.  At some point the body and the genetics reach a limit and one cannot go any further. Then one have to make a decision. Whether not to play at the top or to take illegal performance-enhancing substances to get to the top of the world. Very few people would decide against it.

I actually disagree. If people are consistent enough, they do not have to use these things in my opinion. You have to be very disciplined and have to maintain consistency as a player to actually reach the top of the competition. If any kind of performance enhancing drug is introduced in this situation, and more people are actually performing well than they should be, it is not going to be special anymore, is it?

There have been people who have been playing, consistently at the top of the competition for a very long time without taking anything like those. And that’s how it should be. That creates more competition in my opinion. And without those performance enhancing things, people will know that they have to work hard. And there is no other way. But I do agree on one thing some people do it smart and the others get caught.

I would like to agree too that some people are smarter about what, when and how they dope.

I'm probably opening a can of worms with this following cynical statement but I'll out it out anyway...

ain terms of a smart way of doping there is Nadal with a special medicine for a medical condition
as @serveria.com posted and Djokovic with his statements about plant based diet and yoga, that
paints a picture of "clean living" (now as i said thats me opening it up for discussion)

I would also say that particularly in Tennis where the game is as much about mental strength
as it is about talent and skill taking illegal substances would I imagine offer a limited advantage.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Was nice to see Djokovic win his 24th Grand Slam which I believe puts him out in front, alone, as the most successful player in the history of the sport.

Happy to hear that he doesn’t plan to retire just yet - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-12504207/amp/Novak-Djokovic-jokes-leave-tennis-24-years-Serbian-insisting-retirement-isnt-mind-doesnt-want-leave-sport-Open-triumph.html

[serveria.com]

Was nice to see Djokovic win his 24th Grand Slam which I believe puts him out in front, alone, as the most successful player in the history of the sport.

Happy to hear that he doesn’t plan to retire just yet - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-12504207/amp/Novak-Djokovic-jokes-leave-tennis-24-years-Serbian-insisting-retirement-isnt-mind-doesnt-want-leave-sport-Open-triumph.html

Yeah, it's amazing how this guy still manages to find motivation to play at this level. And take into account he could have won at least 2-3 more Slams if he would get vaccinated. That's insane.

[Vaskiy]

Was nice to see Djokovic win his 24th Grand Slam which I believe puts him out in front, alone, as the most successful player in the history of the sport.

Happy to hear that he doesn’t plan to retire just yet - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-12504207/amp/Novak-Djokovic-jokes-leave-tennis-24-years-Serbian-insisting-retirement-isnt-mind-doesnt-want-leave-sport-Open-triumph.html

Yeah, it's amazing how this guy still manages to find motivation to play at this level. And take into account he could have won at least 2-3 more Slams if he would get vaccinated. That's insane.

He doesn't have the plan to retire and he have kept his body in a better way compared to many other players of his age who are into break for injury. We've got two possibilities of he had got vaccinated. Maybe he could've won few more grand slams, at the same time there is also possible chances of feeling himself down as the vaccinations have made people feel unhealthy.

[BALIK]

Was nice to see Djokovic win his 24th Grand Slam which I believe puts him out in front, alone, as the most successful player in the history of the sport.

Happy to hear that he doesn’t plan to retire just yet - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-12504207/amp/Novak-Djokovic-jokes-leave-tennis-24-years-Serbian-insisting-retirement-isnt-mind-doesnt-want-leave-sport-Open-triumph.html

Yeah, it's amazing how this guy still manages to find motivation to play at this level. And take into account he could have won at least 2-3 more Slams if he would get vaccinated. That's insane.

He doesn't have the plan to retire and he have kept his body in a better way compared to many other players of his age who are into break for injury. We've got two possibilities of he had got vaccinated. Maybe he could've won few more grand slams, at the same time there is also possible chances of feeling himself down as the vaccinations have made people feel unhealthy.

Sometimes I even forget that this dude is 36 years old. At 36 years of age, a lot of people cannot even wake up from bed without their back hurting. And this dude is taking on the best of the best tennis players in the world and successfully winning against them. He is also winning titles one after another. at the same time breaking records, one after another.

I don’t know how other people feel about this, but I definitely think that not taking the vaccine was a great decision from him. We have many countries in the world which I did not follow the Covid regulations and are still fine. There are a lot of conspiracy theories that Covid was just a fake thing made by the medicine companies to earn profit. But I am not going to get into that. The main thing is he did not get vaccinated and he is still playing great at 36 years age. I also think that his physicality and genetics are superior, to be honest.

[Hirose UK]

I know that many players are going through regular doping tests but I'm not sure about superstars like Djokovic etc. These top guys are so valuable for ATP they bring in most of the ticket sale profits so I presume ATP are not checking them so rigorously if you know what I mean.

In big championships like the ATP there always a doping test before the start of the championship and of course anyone who uses doping can receive harsh sanctions such as being banned from competing only for top players who have big names or top rankings the ATP definitely has facilities or special requirements about doping because if we talk about Djokovic he is quite an old player so there are several drugs that he consumes such as for fitness or stamina but they are still in dosage or under the supervision of a can be accepted by the ATP championship.

I know that Rafa had some "medical condition" allowing him to take some special medicine. 

Yes like Rafael Nadal who uses anesthetic and anti-inflammatory injections there are other parties who are suing him for using doping but need to know that using these drugs is important so that the knee injury he experienced does not affect his performance in competitions and he is also still using these drugs doctor recommendation.

[bct_ail]

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

I think every athlete (in any sport) who wants to be and stay in the world elite takes substances that are not allowed. One does it smarter and the other gets caught. It is a farce to talk about a sport without doping. Even Amateur athletes take permitted substances to get better.  At some point the body and the genetics reach a limit and one cannot go any further. Then one have to make a decision. Whether not to play at the top or to take illegal performance-enhancing substances to get to the top of the world. Very few people would decide against it.

I actually disagree. If people are consistent enough, they do not have to use these things in my opinion. You have to be very disciplined and have to maintain consistency as a player to actually reach the top of the competition. If any kind of performance enhancing drug is introduced in this situation, and more people are actually performing well than they should be, it is not going to be special anymore, is it?

There have been people who have been playing, consistently at the top of the competition for a very long time without taking anything like those. And that’s how it should be. That creates more competition in my opinion. And without those performance enhancing things, people will know that they have to work hard. And there is no other way. But I do agree on one thing some people do it smart and the others get caught.

A player has trained for a long time and is well prepared for a tournament. 1 week before, he notices he is getting a cold. I do not think he just drinks warm tea with lemon and eats little more fruits

And I not really assume that all the top players and athletes in the various kind of sports (soccer, Tennis, athletics, swimming etc.) are only at the top because their genetics are good, they do a plant based diet and yoga and taking an icecold tub after the training.

Certainly, there are exceptions. And we all have seen them, the talents of the century. But they are in the minority. But nevertheless, at some point they will also be in the situation of quitting or playing this one more game with illegal performance-enhancing substances.

[serveria.com]

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

I think every athlete (in any sport) who wants to be and stay in the world elite takes substances that are not allowed. One does it smarter and the other gets caught. It is a farce to talk about a sport without doping. Even Amateur athletes take permitted substances to get better.  At some point the body and the genetics reach a limit and one cannot go any further. Then one have to make a decision. Whether not to play at the top or to take illegal performance-enhancing substances to get to the top of the world. Very few people would decide against it.

I actually disagree. If people are consistent enough, they do not have to use these things in my opinion. You have to be very disciplined and have to maintain consistency as a player to actually reach the top of the competition. If any kind of performance enhancing drug is introduced in this situation, and more people are actually performing well than they should be, it is not going to be special anymore, is it?

There have been people who have been playing, consistently at the top of the competition for a very long time without taking anything like those. And that’s how it should be. That creates more competition in my opinion. And without those performance enhancing things, people will know that they have to work hard. And there is no other way. But I do agree on one thing some people do it smart and the others get caught.

A player has trained for a long time and is well prepared for a tournament. 1 week before, he notices he is getting a cold. I do not think he just drinks warm tea with lemon and eats little more fruits

And I not really assume that all the top players and athletes in the various kind of sports (soccer, Tennis, athletics, swimming etc.) are only at the top because their genetics are good, they do a plant based diet and yoga and taking an icecold tub after the training.

Certainly, there are exceptions. And we all have seen them, the talents of the century. But they are in the minority. But nevertheless, at some point they will also be in the situation of quitting or playing this one more game with illegal performance-enhancing substances.

WTA players are also known to take some drugs to delay or suspend their periods. I also woudn't be surprised if I found out some players like Maria Sakkari are using male hormones (anabolic steroids). Some others are born like that - for example Astapenko's average forehand speed is higher than Murray's because she is naturally very strong.

[Vaskiy]

What do you all think of this?
Is doping widespread in the ATP and WTA Tennis ?
Was Halep very unlucky to be caught?

I think every athlete (in any sport) who wants to be and stay in the world elite takes substances that are not allowed. One does it smarter and the other gets caught. It is a farce to talk about a sport without doping. Even Amateur athletes take permitted substances to get better.  At some point the body and the genetics reach a limit and one cannot go any further. Then one have to make a decision. Whether not to play at the top or to take illegal performance-enhancing substances to get to the top of the world. Very few people would decide against it.

I actually disagree. If people are consistent enough, they do not have to use these things in my opinion. You have to be very disciplined and have to maintain consistency as a player to actually reach the top of the competition. If any kind of performance enhancing drug is introduced in this situation, and more people are actually performing well than they should be, it is not going to be special anymore, is it?

There have been people who have been playing, consistently at the top of the competition for a very long time without taking anything like those. And that’s how it should be. That creates more competition in my opinion. And without those performance enhancing things, people will know that they have to work hard. And there is no other way. But I do agree on one thing some people do it smart and the others get caught.

A player has trained for a long time and is well prepared for a tournament. 1 week before, he notices he is getting a cold. I do not think he just drinks warm tea with lemon and eats little more fruits

And I not really assume that all the top players and athletes in the various kind of sports (soccer, Tennis, athletics, swimming etc.) are only at the top because their genetics are good, they do a plant based diet and yoga and taking an icecold tub after the training.

Certainly, there are exceptions. And we all have seen them, the talents of the century. But they are in the minority. But nevertheless, at some point they will also be in the situation of quitting or playing this one more game with illegal performance-enhancing substances.

WTA players are also known to take some drugs to delay or suspend their periods. I also woudn't be surprised if I found out some players like Maria Sakkari are using male hormones (anabolic steroids). Some others are born like that - for example Astapenko's average forehand speed is higher than Murray's because she is naturally very strong.

Everyone used to take the right quantity. Things beyond the limit gonna be troublesome. For some players it is normal to have good stamina and good power. Some used to achieve it through regular fitness training whereas some go with these kind of drugs. As said, almost everyone will be taking, while the body that reacts get caught. Recently one of the sporting authority planned of conducting Olympic games with no restrictions on doping. The event didn't take place, but this is how the thinking.