Tennis League All Thread

[Strongkored]

It looks like Sinner might get to replace Berrettini if he permanently retires

Can it happen while a tournament is already running? I really don't know about this possibility.

When I saw him walkover, I was quite disappointed not because I lost my bet, but thinking he would make something big here, indeed injuries often make what was targeted to be messed up and that's really unexpected.

[Jating]

It looks like Sinner might get to replace Berrettini if he permanently retires

Can it happen while a tournament is already running? I really don't know about this possibility.

When I saw him walkover, I was quite disappointed not because I lost my bet, but thinking he would make something big here, indeed injuries often make what was targeted to be messed up and that's really unexpected.

Yeah, not sure if Berrettini can be replacement here.

Djokovic vs Casper Ruud.- I'll probably go win under on this match, under 22.5 as this might be just 2 sets for Djokovic to win.

Tsitsipas vs Rublev - this one could be interesting, Tsitsipas slightly favourite, but I will go with the over 22.5.

[casperBGD]

~snip

Djokovic vs Casper Ruud.- I'll probably go win under on this match, under 22.5 as this might be just 2 sets for Djokovic to win.

Tsitsipas vs Rublev - this one could be interesting, Tsitsipas slightly favourite, but I will go with the over 22.5.

under22.5 for Djokovic is risky, it is a first match, and I would not be surprised to see him let down first set, to win second and third, after all it is group stage, and he can let even a win, to qualify for next stage

regarding Tsitsipas and Rublev, over should come, even without third set, with one tie-break

regarding whole tournament, I would be surprised to see Djokovic not taking it in the end

[btc_angela]

~snip

Djokovic vs Casper Ruud.- I'll probably go win under on this match, under 22.5 as this might be just 2 sets for Djokovic to win.

Tsitsipas vs Rublev - this one could be interesting, Tsitsipas slightly favourite, but I will go with the over 22.5.

under22.5 for Djokovic is risky, it is a first match, and I would not be surprised to see him let down first set, to win second and third, after all it is group stage, and he can let even a win, to qualify for next stage

regarding Tsitsipas and Rublev, over should come, even without third set, with one tie-break

regarding whole tournament, I would be surprised to see Djokovic not taking it in the end

Not only that, Djokovic has this somewhat 'practice' of like intentionally losing the first set and then coming back to win the last 2.

We've seen him done this before, whether intentionally or not, but it's like his giving his opponent a false sense of hope that they can win against him. But in the end, Djokovic will beat their them and handed it to them.

[poldanmig]

Next up tonight is Zverev v Berrettini, massive home support for Matteo but he
has not been on top form recently. Anyway I'm going with Matteo.

Watched the match and Berettini was good in first set. Missed a couple of set balls even. Then I missed what happened in the beginning of second set but Berenttini got some injury to abdomen and had to forfeit. As far as I saw nothing happened on the pitch. He just hit a strong forehand and something broke inside. I guess he had some prior injury since he has not played in Paris last week.

that's gotta be the worst that could have happened to him, he played incredibly throughout the whole season and deserved the spot to play in the Nitto finals and it's also in his hometown Italy but an unlucky injury took that away from him, I hope he gets past this and think for what's next.

I think the injury he got at the 2021 Australian Open last February has not really recovered 100%, so in that match Matteo's injury returned and forced him to give up in the opening match of the 2021 ATP Finals, I think with the injury he has now, of course it will forced him to miss the next two games, and it is very likely now his position may soon be replaced by Jannik Sinner as the first alternative.

[Daniel91]

The final highlight of the season, the ATP final, is coming soon.
It's interesting what Djokovic has to say, who wants to win a new, sixth title in this tournament, which will start soon in Turin.

''I needed that break to rejuvenate and get ready for a strong finish to the season," said the world number one.
I haven't played so much as previous years in terms of the amount of tournaments, but I did have a lot of exhausting events that I played, particularly in the Grand Slams," said Djokovic. When I say exhausting, I don't just mean physically but mentally and emotionally.
It was unlike any other year that I've had so far because of the pressure of achievement and the potential of history making.
It took a lot out of me."

It's interesting how much Djokovic is focused on achieving tennis records and proving that he is the greatest tennis player of all time.
I guess that’s one of the reasons why a lot of tennis players and fans don’t like him. What do you think?
Who will be his main competitors in this tournament?

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59256760

Is it really that interesting that he is so focused on that breaking records as a sportsman? I believe what distinguishes him from others of his calibre (those who can break records) is only the fact that he talks about that stuff very openly. Did anyone have the slightest doubt ever that one of Nadal's goals is to still collectt some GS titles to stay at the top? Or that Federer wasn't hoping to keep the record for weeks as number one in the tennis world? Or that Nadal is still eager to further improve his record in French Open titles such that he will still have that record in 200 years from now? I just find it honest what Djokovic is saying and they actually all want the same: break records and write history.

Maybe Nadal and Federer just wanted to compete when they were just starting this tennis journey and honestly didn't know that they can also surpassed and break records of their own.

Or maybe no one in the media ask them that question, or maybe it was ask, but they didn't give any direct answer? As opposed to Djokovic wherein he was always in the media and even has some fun with it form time to time.

Nadal and Federer did never specifically mention that they are in for the records, not even when they were holding records or close before that situation. I must confess that I like this about Djokovic. He was saying that grabbing for records puts a lot of mental and emotional pressure on him and is exhausting And I honestly I believe that. Look at how close Serena Williams was to go for the total GS number record. Then she failed over and over again. Was it because she couldn't play tennis anymore? No, it was because the whole world expected her to do it with ease and Djokovic is in the same position, but he will get all those records. I am pretty sure he keeps that level for at least another two full years.

I think it’s normal that every tennis player wants to be the best and win the most tournaments.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have different personalities and characters, so Djokovic talks openly about it and the other two don't.
As for Serena, if she hadn’t had to break her career due to pregnancy and childbirth, when she was at her peak, I’m sure she would have won a few more GS and been the absolute best.

[Ratash]

Tsitsipas vs rublev is the game i am waiting for today both players did not do good this season especialy tsitsipas he was absent from finals recently but he is still in the 4 top in ranking, he recently played badly in vienna and paris atp i think the reason is that he was preparing for the finals and he did not go all out to avoid injuries.

[Trofo]

Tsitsipas vs rublev is the game i am waiting for today both players did not do good this season especialy tsitsipas he was absent from finals recently but he is still in the 4 top in ranking, he recently played badly in vienna and paris atp i think the reason is that he was preparing for the finals and he did not go all out to avoid injuries.

This would have been cracking match if they were in good form, as it is I will be watching to judge who will pass from this group together with Djokovic. Ruud is not a fast court player and I believe even out of form Tsitispas can win against him. Rublev is an unknown here, if he comes out all guns blazing this court is perfect for him, but if he is out of form he will make so many unforced errors that it will be difficult to watch.

[aoluain]

Tsitsipas vs rublev is the game i am waiting for today both players did not do good this season especialy tsitsipas he was absent from finals recently but he is still in the 4 top in ranking, he recently played badly in vienna and paris atp i think the reason is that he was preparing for the finals and he did not go all out to avoid injuries.

This would have been cracking match if they were in good form, as it is I will be watching to judge who will pass from this group together with Djokovic. Ruud is not a fast court player and I believe even out of form Tsitispas can win against him. Rublev is an unknown here, if he comes out all guns blazing this court is perfect for him, but if he is out of form he will make so many unforced errors that it will be difficult to watch.

This is exactly what I was thinking, Rublev will love this fast court, he is a big hitter
but I think a lot of people expected more of him this year. I might put a small bet on him.

Tsitsipas has definitely been an under-achiever this year, he has missed so many chances.
From winning in Monte Carlo back in April he has had mixed results and I have lost
a lot of Satoshi's backing him.

Loosing to Nadal in the final of Barcelona at the end of April
Loosing to Ruud in R16 of Madrid on May
Loosing to Djokovic in the Q-final of the Italian open in May
Won Lyon open in May against Norrie
Loosing to Djokovic in the French open with 2 sets up
Loosing to Tiafoe in the first round of Wimbledon
Loosing the Q-final of German open in July to Krajinović
Loosing S-final to Opelka in the Canadian open
Loosing the S-final to Zverev in Cincinnati
Loosing the 3rd round match against Alcaraz in the U.S open
Loosing Q-final of Indian Wells to Basilashvilli
Loosing R16 to Tiafoe in Vienna
Loosing R32 in Paris to Popyrin

But still he manages to reach the finals.

[casperBGD]

~snip
Not only that, Djokovic has this somewhat 'practice' of like intentionally losing the first set and then coming back to win the last 2.

We've seen him done this before, whether intentionally or not, but it's like his giving his opponent a false sense of hope that they can win against him. But in the end, Djokovic will beat their them and handed it to them.

yeah, he actually started this match in that manner, loosing first serve, but managed to get first set, because Ruud was really out for this match
in the second set, Djokovic made what is typical for him, having 6:2 against Ruud, which could be the same in both set, if he did not loosed first serve, it would probably be 6:2, 6:2

nevertheless, it is hard to see anyone above him in the group, but weather first or second, he will probably have to face both, Medvedev and Zverev on a title road (semi-final and final)

[Trofo]

~snip
Not only that, Djokovic has this somewhat 'practice' of like intentionally losing the first set and then coming back to win the last 2.

We've seen him done this before, whether intentionally or not, but it's like his giving his opponent a false sense of hope that they can win against him. But in the end, Djokovic will beat their them and handed it to them.

yeah, he actually started this match in that manner, loosing first serve, but managed to get first set, because Ruud was really out for this match
in the second set, Djokovic made what is typical for him, having 6:2 against Ruud, which could be the same in both set, if he did not loosed first serve, it would probably be 6:2, 6:2

nevertheless, it is hard to see anyone above him in the group, but weather first or second, he will probably have to face both, Medvedev and Zverev on a title road (semi-final and final)

Just watched Rublev take apart Tsitsipas. As I already said these are perfect conditions for Rublev and if he manages to keep this level I can see him make big things here. He should pass the group for sure since he will destroy Ruud and I expect him to take at least a set against Djokovic. Maybe I will even put something on Rublev to win the tournament, if he continues to serve as today, nobody will have it easy against him.

[Rabi3]

~snip
Not only that, Djokovic has this somewhat 'practice' of like intentionally losing the first set and then coming back to win the last 2.

We've seen him done this before, whether intentionally or not, but it's like his giving his opponent a false sense of hope that they can win against him. But in the end, Djokovic will beat their them and handed it to them.

yeah, he actually started this match in that manner, loosing first serve, but managed to get first set, because Ruud was really out for this match
in the second set, Djokovic made what is typical for him, having 6:2 against Ruud, which could be the same in both set, if he did not loosed first serve, it would probably be 6:2, 6:2

nevertheless, it is hard to see anyone above him in the group, but weather first or second, he will probably have to face both, Medvedev and Zverev on a title road (semi-final and final)

Just watched Rublev take apart Tsitsipas. As I already said these are perfect conditions for Rublev and if he manages to keep this level I can see him make big things here. He should pass the group for sure since he will destroy Ruud and I expect him to take at least a set against Djokovic. Maybe I will even put something on Rublev to win the tournament, if he continues to serve as today, nobody will have it easy against him.

thankfully I made a bet on Rublev today and he didn't disappoint, Tsitsipas has been doing bad lately and he can't control his emotions, and Rublev had to show up strong I this tournament, I don't agree with you saying he can win it though, he's still has a lot a big way to go through it's not easy with players like Nole, Medvedev and Zverev, I doubt he can even make it to the final.

[aoluain]

That was fairly impressive serving by Rublev but his second serve is not great.
He likes the fast court, it suits his aggressive power shots. Tsitsipas really couldnt deal
with that service game.

The two strongest players are still Djokovic and Medvedev, it would be interesting to
see another head to head with these two on this fast court and who can adapt the quickest.

[TravelMug]

That was fairly impressive serving by Rublev but his second serve is not great.
He likes the fast court, it suits his aggressive power shots. Tsitsipas really couldnt deal
with that service game.

The two strongest players are still Djokovic and Medvedev, it would be interesting to
see another head to head with these two on this fast court and who can adapt the quickest.

Yep, I think we all know that this kind of surface doesn't suit up Tsitsipas, he is more of a clay court specialist. And Rublev like this fast court, he really knows how to take advantage and be aggressive and Tsitsipas has no answer.

If it boils down to Djokovic vs Medvedev or Rublev, I still will favour Djokovic though, I think he can really adapt with any court much more with this fast surface.

[casperBGD]

~snip

If it boils down to Djokovic vs Medvedev or Rublev, I still will favour Djokovic though, I think he can really adapt with any court much more with this fast surface.

Djokovic is a favorite after all, Medvedev is good at the moment, but needs continuity to be treated as equal to Djokovic, at least few years
why did you counted-out Zverev, for me it is a clear run from second group to see Medvedev and Zverev in semi-final, so Djokovic will have to win over both probably, or Rublev can kick-out one of them in semi-final?

others do not have a chance, and it is really low-quality group stage, with everything almost known before the matches

[Trofo]

Djokovic is a favorite after all, Medvedev is good at the moment, but needs continuity to be treated as equal to Djokovic, at least few years
why did you counted-out Zverev, for me it is a clear run from second group to see Medvedev and Zverev in semi-final, so Djokovic will have to win over both probably, or Rublev can kick-out one of them in semi-final?

others do not have a chance, and it is really low-quality group stage, with everything almost known before the matches

That was some great tennis between Medvedev and Zverev today, whole match was in the balance all the time. With this win and Berettini deciding to not play any more due to the injury, Medvedev has already won the group.

Djokovic is a mental beast but don't underestimate the surface effect, this surface is much better for Zverev and Rublev than for the "favorites" Djokovic and Medvedev. I will be playing against favorites in all those matches, handicaps on underdogs or for underdog to take at least one set. I don't give any chance to Ruud and Tsitisipas since the surface is totally not to their liking.

Hurkacz could be good also, he played great against Medvedev and I am placing big bet on him today against Sinner if I get good odds and I find the bookie offering the market. They are slow to update and I still did not find where to play it.

[aoluain]

Djokovic is a favorite after all, Medvedev is good at the moment, but needs continuity to be treated as equal to Djokovic, at least few years
why did you counted-out Zverev, for me it is a clear run from second group to see Medvedev and Zverev in semi-final, so Djokovic will have to win over both probably, or Rublev can kick-out one of them in semi-final?

others do not have a chance, and it is really low-quality group stage, with everything almost known before the matches

That was some great tennis between Medvedev and Zverev today, whole match was in the balance all the time. With this win and Berettini deciding to not play any more due to the injury, Medvedev has already won the group.

Djokovic is a mental beast but don't underestimate the surface effect, this surface is much better for Zverev and Rublev than for the "favorites" Djokovic and Medvedev. I will be playing against favorites in all those matches, handicaps on underdogs or for underdog to take at least one set. I don't give any chance to Ruud and Tsitisipas since the surface is totally not to their liking.

Hurkacz could be good also, he played great against Medvedev and I am placing big bet on him today against Sinner if I get good odds and I find the bookie offering the market. They are slow to update and I still did not find where to play it.

Didnt see it but I believe it was epic, a clise one between Medvedev and Zverev.

I believe the head to head between Djokovic and Medvedev is 6-4.

Regarding the surface effect, Medvedev already kind of suggested he preferred
the slower courts but he did win the U.S open on a fast court.

I'm just watching a doubles match waiting for Sinner v Hurkacz.  Pity for Matteo
to pull out but it was kind of expected, pressure on now on Sinner.

[Trofo]

I'm just watching a doubles match waiting for Sinner v Hurkacz.  Pity for Matteo
to pull out but it was kind of expected, pressure on now on Sinner.

Doubles passed as expected with win for Dodig/Polasek, they were better troughout the whole match. Now I am gonna reinvest my tennis part of my tennis winnings on Hurkacz. Hopefully he will get first set for free while Sinner gets used to conditions. Sportsbet has him @2.10 and one set @1.45. I hope Sinner is not prepared for this but somehow I doubt it. It is his home tournament and it was expected that Berettini will not be able to compete.

To bad Pavic/Mektic did not play better, would be even more money in the bank
https://i.imgur.com/Kldyojq.png

Edit: what a loss of money. I am usually not bitching when I loose the bet but this performance from Hurkazcs was simply terrible. Without any fire and ideas. He played just to keep the ball in play and still made a ton of errors.

[mv1986]

Next up tonight is Zverev v Berrettini, massive home support for Matteo but he
has not been on top form recently. Anyway I'm going with Matteo.

Watched the match and Berettini was good in first set. Missed a couple of set balls even. Then I missed what happened in the beginning of second set but Berenttini got some injury to abdomen and had to forfeit. As far as I saw nothing happened on the pitch. He just hit a strong forehand and something broke inside. I guess he had some prior injury since he has not played in Paris last week.

Ah unfortunately he has this abdominal issue again which he has had before.

Just watched that first set which was great but as the commentators on
Amazon Prime (Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski) said Matteo plays with
such powerful force, this is the cause of the injury.

It looks like Sinner might get to replace Berrettini if he permanently retires

Definitely sad, yes, obviously always the same setback. But that sometimes also differentiates one world class player from another. The physical health If you look at the three GOATs they have rarely been injured over the course of their careers if you take the total of matches they were able to play without injury Losing because of an injury is always a bummer, not only for the player but also for all the tennis fans.

Of course, it's always sad when players got injured specially during a play like this and we hate someone losing this way. I would say that the big 3 has it's own set of injuries but not to extend that they are going to be out for a long time, except maybe when they are no longer in their prime. Maybe they really take care of their body a lot, or it's their genetics that prevented them from getting injured during the height of their careers.

That's the point. When you look at Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, all three were pretty healthy (with Nadal having the most injuries) such that they were almost always able to compete for the GS titles. I think Nadal missed most of the GS games due to injuries, but still he was obviously healthy enough on point for every single Roland Garros tournament. That's really hard for someone who is a good player but gets knocked out every six to twelve months. You can't just build up strengths and then keep the momentum when an injury knocks you out. It is also about keeping the momentum.

[Jating]

Djokovic vs Rublev - I think another 3 sets here? or go over? @1.92 odds, very attractive, but if Djokovic started hot early, this might end in just 2 sets? What do you guys think?

Rublev favours this surface but we all know that Djokovic can really adapt at any or even adjust his style in the middle of the game, so really hard to bet on this one, maybe I will try to see the game first if I have the time and just do some live betting.