Tennis League All Thread

[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.

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.

Frankly, seems pretty logical to me to legalize doping in some sports. Everybody knows that top athletes are doing it so why pretend they're fighting it? Times change, they have replaced linesmen with cameras, "hawk eye" etc in tennis, video judges in football so why not allow doping in cycling for example as everyone is obviously doing it anyway? 

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[Vaskiy]

~
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.

Frankly, seems pretty logical to me to legalize doping in some sports. Everybody knows that top athletes are doing it so why pretend they're fighting it? Times change, they have replaced linesmen with cameras, "hawk eye" etc in tennis, video judges in football so why not allow doping in cycling for example as everyone is obviously doing it anyway? 

Over time changes have happened with each and every sports, however allowing it could affect the medical industry. In the process of enhancing performance we can see players using drugs that are meant for other needs. Already the athletes and in other games they're allowed with limitations. If doping is allowed with every game without limitations, surely this would affect the sporting around the world as well as loss the importance of sports.

[BALIK]

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.

I know a lot of people are going to argue with me, but I am going to say this anyway. If any athlete actually tries really hard, if they are actually disciplined, not scrawling through tick-tock's on YouTube shorts when it is time to sleep, and also not eating something that they should not. I think they are going to be alright. That kind of dedication alone is going to make them fall in the top 1% in my opinion. But right now, it is actually hard to have that much dedication. Especially with all the distractions available to them. My argument is that it is not easy at all and that is the reason why the top players should be the best of the best. And they should totally be checked if they are taking any illegal substance.

[aoluain]

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.

I know a lot of people are going to argue with me, but I am going to say this anyway. If any athlete actually tries really hard, if they are actually disciplined, not scrawling through tick-tock's on YouTube shorts when it is time to sleep, and also not eating something that they should not. I think they are going to be alright. That kind of dedication alone is going to make them fall in the top 1% in my opinion. But right now, it is actually hard to have that much dedication. Especially with all the distractions available to them. My argument is that it is not easy at all and that is the reason why the top players should be the best of the best. And they should totally be checked if they are taking any illegal substance.

So kind of like what Djokovic is doing - plant based diet, yoga and the like. IDK
that much about high performance food nutrition but I would recon doping
along with high performance trumps that.

I would also say that doping alone is only going to take an athelete so far, without
the right fitness, nutrition and mental strength you are not getting into the top10
or even 20.

[BALIK]

So kind of like what Djokovic is doing - plant based diet, yoga and the like. IDK
that much about high performance food nutrition but I would recon doping
along with high performance trumps that.

I would also say that doping alone is only going to take an athelete so far, without
the right fitness, nutrition and mental strength you are not getting into the top10
or even 20.

I was talking about what should be. In a perfect world, every person should be performing without having any performance-enhancing drug in their system. But we all know that is not the world we live in. If you know the right person, and if you know how to hide it, you will be able to perform even after having some "juice" in your body. The problem is that it's going to be really unfair for the person who is actually playing without taking those things. But the world is not perfect.

[romero121]

So kind of like what Djokovic is doing - plant based diet, yoga and the like. IDK
that much about high performance food nutrition but I would recon doping
along with high performance trumps that.

I would also say that doping alone is only going to take an athelete so far, without
the right fitness, nutrition and mental strength you are not getting into the top10
or even 20.

I was talking about what should be. In a perfect world, every person should be performing without having any performance-enhancing drug in their system. But we all know that is not the world we live in. If you know the right person, and if you know how to hide it, you will be able to perform even after having some "juice" in your body. The problem is that it's going to be really unfair for the person who is actually playing without taking those things. But the world is not perfect.

The world isn't perfect. The competence have reached the peak and everyone were running for the success. We're in a country where we never think of how the success comes, all we focus is just the success. When this mentality gets washed off we'll get to see things taking place in the orderly manner. As said, the success relies on how well a player manage to keep himself hidden from the truth of consuming drugs as it had been common in today's sporting world.

[nullama]

~snip~
The world isn't perfect. The competence have reached the peak and everyone were running for the success. We're in a country where we never think of how the success comes, all we focus is just the success. When this mentality gets washed off we'll get to see things taking place in the orderly manner. As said, the success relies on how well a player manage to keep himself hidden from the truth of consuming drugs as it had been common in today's sporting world.

Everything can be fine in moderation, you don't really have to have 100% abstinence of drugs for example to be the best in the world. In small amounts it might even be beneficial as it might relax the players, etc.

Of course too much of anything can be bad, even work. So if a player ends up training too much they can get mental health issues or even injuries for pushing too hard.

It's all about balance in life.

[BALIK]

~snip~
The world isn't perfect. The competence have reached the peak and everyone were running for the success. We're in a country where we never think of how the success comes, all we focus is just the success. When this mentality gets washed off we'll get to see things taking place in the orderly manner. As said, the success relies on how well a player manage to keep himself hidden from the truth of consuming drugs as it had been common in today's sporting world.

Everything can be fine in moderation, you don't really have to have 100% abstinence of drugs for example to be the best in the world. In small amounts it might even be beneficial as it might relax the players, etc.

Of course too much of anything can be bad, even work. So if a player ends up training too much they can get mental health issues or even injuries for pushing too hard.

It's all about balance in life.

No drug in the world is actually beneficial for health. Even if some medicine is prescribed by a doctor, it is definitely going to have some side effects, even though it is going to cure the bigger disease. I believe taking any kind of drug is absolutely unnecessary. If you actually give it 100%. The problem is people do not give it 100% but act like they are giving their 100%. And I don't know why a lot of people start talking about mental health in this day and age. You are literally getting paid to play tennis.

Yes, you can find an opponent that is actually going to beat you in a way that makes you look bad. But that means you have to get a lot better. Not sit around and cry about it and say that you are depressed. And you not being able to beat another tennis player is not depression. Your family member, your parents, or your child dying is depression.

But people somehow seem to be able to cope with losing family members very easily. But they somehow cannot beat the better opponent because of depression!

[bct_ail]

Even if some medicine is prescribed by a doctor, it is definitely going to have some side effects, even though it is going to cure the bigger disease.

No effect without a side effect. That is right. But that does not mean that one should not take medicine.

Not sit around and cry about it and say that you are depressed. And you not being able to beat another tennis player is not depression. Your family member, your parents, or your child dying is depression.

It seems you have no idea what depression is.
And it seems you have no idea what grief is. Because the death of a human being is not a depression.

[nullama]

~snip~
No drug in the world is actually beneficial for health. Even if some medicine is prescribed by a doctor, it is definitely going to have some side effects, even though it is going to cure the bigger disease. I believe taking any kind of drug is absolutely unnecessary. If you actually give it 100%. The problem is people do not give it 100% but act like they are giving their 100%. And I don't know why a lot of people start talking about mental health in this day and age. You are literally getting paid to play tennis.

Yes, you can find an opponent that is actually going to beat you in a way that makes you look bad. But that means you have to get a lot better. Not sit around and cry about it and say that you are depressed. And you not being able to beat another tennis player is not depression. Your family member, your parents, or your child dying is depression.

But people somehow seem to be able to cope with losing family members very easily. But they somehow cannot beat the better opponent because of depression!

Every drug has its pros and cons. That's basically what the pharmacy sells, drugs. They usually are beneficial for health, and they usually have other negative effects, like dependency, etc.

Just because a drug is legal or not doesn't mean they are good or bad for you.

I mean, you can die from drinking too much water. It's all about balance in life.

[shogun47]

Frankly, seems pretty logical to me to legalize doping in some sports. Everybody knows that top athletes are doing it so why pretend they're fighting it? Times change, they have replaced linesmen with cameras, "hawk eye" etc in tennis, video judges in football so why not allow doping in cycling for example as everyone is obviously doing it anyway? 

Ever heard of slippery slope? How would you allow it? Like, open all doors and say go for it? Because implementing limits is as ineffective as prohibiting or allowing it. There is no solution to that problem. There is only one thing for sure: if doping is allowed entirely, we will see athletes dying like flies because the pressure, greed and addiction for personal records and so on will be so intense that athletes will see themselves being forced into insane abuse. Many athletes know that if they stop their doping tomorrow, they will lose their sponsorships the day after and all the fans and admiration/support from the public as well.

This is such a huge topic and I believe there really is no solution to that because whenever there is a set limit, a doctor or chemist is already trying in a laboratory how to circumvent it without getting caught. But allowing it entirely would open the floodgates to death.

And seriously, I am not interested in seeing how far or high someone can jump or how fast they can run when they are pumped up with drugs. I am interested in seeing what is humanly possible. Some will say that doping could be considered an element of human existence. Good point, but why would I care what people are able to do on drugs? It is a different discipline and it can indeed be interesting just for the sake of informing people like me. But in a competition I would like to see people compete on the same level, whatever that means.

[aoluain]

Frankly, seems pretty logical to me to legalize doping in some sports. Everybody knows that top athletes are doing it so why pretend they're fighting it? Times change, they have replaced linesmen with cameras, "hawk eye" etc in tennis, video judges in football so why not allow doping in cycling for example as everyone is obviously doing it anyway? 

Ever heard of slippery slope? How would you allow it? Like, open all doors and say go for it? Because implementing limits is as ineffective as prohibiting or allowing it. There is no solution to that problem. There is only one thing for sure: if doping is allowed entirely, we will see athletes dying like flies because the pressure, greed and addiction for personal records and so on will be so intense that athletes will see themselves being forced into insane abuse. Many athletes know that if they stop their doping tomorrow, they will lose their sponsorships the day after and all the fans and admiration/support from the public as well.

This is such a huge topic and I believe there really is no solution to that because whenever there is a set limit, a doctor or chemist is already trying in a laboratory how to circumvent it without getting caught. But allowing it entirely would open the floodgates to death.

And seriously, I am not interested in seeing how far or high someone can jump or how fast they can run when they are pumped up with drugs. I am interested in seeing what is humanly possible. Some will say that doping could be considered an element of human existence. Good point, but why would I care what people are able to do on drugs? It is a different discipline and it can indeed be interesting just for the sake of informing people like me. But in a competition I would like to see people compete on the same level, whatever that means.

My first reaction is to say legalise it, no restrictions but make everyone aware of
the dangers of it. If someone dies then others weill be held responsible then on
the other hand this could result in kids taking drugs trying to make it into professionalism.


Anyone following the WTA1000 event in Guadalajara?

Layla Fernandez is doing really well and is into the last 16 and now plays Emma Navarro.
Fernandez is slight favourite @1.83 v 2.00 for Navarro.

If she progresses she could be in the company of Ostapenko, Sakkari and Kenin.

[Strongkored]

At the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters we will not see Djokovic competing for this title after Djokovic confirmed his withdrawal from the tournament which will be held in October, and maybe he will only play at the Paris Masters at the end of October Djokovic Withdraws From Shanghai

Meanwhile, Alcaraz is certain to play in the tournament after taking a long break because he also did not play for Spain in the Davis Cup, and his decision not to play in the Davis Cup caused criticism and Spain failed to reach the final 8 in Malaga at the end of November.

[serveria.com]

Frankly, seems pretty logical to me to legalize doping in some sports. Everybody knows that top athletes are doing it so why pretend they're fighting it? Times change, they have replaced linesmen with cameras, "hawk eye" etc in tennis, video judges in football so why not allow doping in cycling for example as everyone is obviously doing it anyway? 

Ever heard of slippery slope? How would you allow it? Like, open all doors and say go for it? Because implementing limits is as ineffective as prohibiting or allowing it. There is no solution to that problem. There is only one thing for sure: if doping is allowed entirely, we will see athletes dying like flies because the pressure, greed and addiction for personal records and so on will be so intense that athletes will see themselves being forced into insane abuse. Many athletes know that if they stop their doping tomorrow, they will lose their sponsorships the day after and all the fans and admiration/support from the public as well.

This is such a huge topic and I believe there really is no solution to that because whenever there is a set limit, a doctor or chemist is already trying in a laboratory how to circumvent it without getting caught. But allowing it entirely would open the floodgates to death.

And seriously, I am not interested in seeing how far or high someone can jump or how fast they can run when they are pumped up with drugs. I am interested in seeing what is humanly possible. Some will say that doping could be considered an element of human existence. Good point, but why would I care what people are able to do on drugs? It is a different discipline and it can indeed be interesting just for the sake of informing people like me. But in a competition I would like to see people compete on the same level, whatever that means.

My first reaction is to say legalise it, no restrictions but make everyone aware of
the dangers of it. If someone dies then others weill be held responsible then on
the other hand this could result in kids taking drugs trying to make it into professionalism.


Anyone following the WTA1000 event in Guadalajara?

Layla Fernandez is doing really well and is into the last 16 and now plays Emma Navarro.
Fernandez is slight favourite @1.83 v 2.00 for Navarro.

If she progresses she could be in the company of Ostapenko, Sakkari and Kenin.

I'm following Guadalajara tournament. So far many unexpected results: Tomljanovic out, Townsend in round 3, Garcia through to round 3 too. Yesterday I watched a very exciting 3 set match Sasnovich v Garcia. Garcia barely made it, let's hope she will recover after the unsuccessful series of tournaments. Colombian sensation Arango defeated Potapova and Stephens! Today another potential thriller Kenin v Ostapenko! 

[BALIK]

Even if some medicine is prescribed by a doctor, it is definitely going to have some side effects, even though it is going to cure the bigger disease.

No effect without a side effect. That is right. But that does not mean that one should not take medicine.

Not sit around and cry about it and say that you are depressed. And you not being able to beat another tennis player is not depression. Your family member, your parents, or your child dying is depression.

It seems you have no idea what depression is.
And it seems you have no idea what grief is. Because the death of a human being is not a depression.

Depression is a scam. I have never seen one person in my entire life, who actually believes that depression is real and living a good life. If you believe that depression is real, good luck with your life.

I understand how you are trying to play with the words. People can easily be depressed for a period of time after a family member passes away. In your case "grief". But people does not even care about the one who died probably after a year or two. And people carry on with their life anyway after maximum two weeks. So you are telling me that you can cope with a family member dying in two weeks, and you cannot cope with the fact that someone in the world can be better than you and if you have to win you will have to get better compared to him?

Again, depression is not real. Feeling depressed is real. Feeling sad is rael. But the identity of a depressed person is just a coping mechanism for losers. That just gives them a reason for not being what they want to be.

I am not saying that professional tennis players are stupid or losers. But I am definitely trying to say that they have to understand there will be someone who is always willing to work harder and get better. The solution to that is not saying "I am depressed"

[aoluain]

Anyone following the WTA1000 event in Guadalajara?

Layla Fernandez is doing really well and is into the last 16 and now plays Emma Navarro.
Fernandez is slight favourite @1.83 v 2.00 for Navarro.

If she progresses she could be in the company of Ostapenko, Sakkari and Kenin.

Fernandez beat Navarro yesterday in 2 sets and lines uo a quarter final clash with Kenin.
The odds are Fernandez 2.0 - 1.8 Kenin, I think Fernandez is good value at 2.0. Kenin can
sometimes get in her own way mentally when things get tough but lately she seems to
snap out of it sooner - going to be tough.

At the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters we will not see Djokovic competing for this title after Djokovic confirmed his withdrawal from the tournament which will be held in October, and maybe he will only play at the Paris Masters at the end of October Djokovic Withdraws From Shanghai

Meanwhile, Alcaraz is certain to play in the tournament after taking a long break because he also did not play for Spain in the Davis Cup, and his decision not to play in the Davis Cup caused criticism and Spain failed to reach the final 8 in Malaga at the end of November.

I actually havent followed the Davis Cup this year. I can imagine it didnt go down well
that the home nation didnt have its star player playing.

Alcaraz now playing at the Shanghai masters and Djokovic not will almost certainly
result in Alcaraz taking the title

[bitbollo]

No drug in the world is actually beneficial for health.
...

let's stay on topic and please say SENSIBLE THINGS especially of which we have "awareness".

then, BALIK if you want to undergo a tooth extraction without anesthesia, or if you have type 1 diabetes you don't want to take insulin, (I won't continue the list is really long) do as you think best, but it's not smart to say it around, especially in a topic about tennis in a forum related to.. bitcoin!

[bct_ail]

There are two ATP tournaments in China. One in Chengdu and one in Zhuhai. There are some interesting players at the tournament in Chengdu. Zverev is seeded number 1 in this tournament. Dimitrov, Musetti and Rinderknech are also playing. Except for Rinderknech, all the players I mentioned will start in the round of 16. Rinderknech won his opening match in 2 sets. His opponent Tu is ranked ATP 203, but he had to go into a tie-break and played for exactly 2 hours.

[serveria.com]

Fernandez beat Navarro yesterday in 2 sets and lines uo a quarter final clash with Kenin.
The odds are Fernandez 2.0 - 1.8 Kenin, I think Fernandez is good value at 2.0. Kenin can
sometimes get in her own way mentally when things get tough but lately she seems to
snap out of it sooner - going to be tough.

Kenin did well against Ostapenko, exceptional tennis by the American. I'm following a young Colombian Emiliana Arango. She managed to eliminated Townsend in 3 sets: 7:5, 1:6, 6:4 and will be meeting Maria Sakkari in the next round. Sakkari is not showing her best tennis atm so it will be an exciting encounter.

[aoluain]

Fernandez beat Navarro yesterday in 2 sets and lines uo a quarter final clash with Kenin.
The odds are Fernandez 2.0 - 1.8 Kenin, I think Fernandez is good value at 2.0. Kenin can
sometimes get in her own way mentally when things get tough but lately she seems to
snap out of it sooner - going to be tough.

Kenin did well against Ostapenko, exceptional tennis by the American. I'm following a young Colombian Emiliana Arango. She managed to eliminated Townsend in 3 sets: 7:5, 1:6, 6:4 and will be meeting Maria Sakkari in the next round. Sakkari is not showing her best tennis atm so it will be an exciting encounter.

Sakkari was too much for her!
As was Kenin for Fernandez, there was some really great tennis played by both. I
opted to watch this rather than France v Namibia in the Rugby World Cup.

Fernandez had 14 aces and Kenin had something like 12 double faults but still managed
to win in 3 sets. She now faces someone I have never heard of Caroline Dolehide?

Sakkari has a seemingly tougher draw against Garcia.