Tennis League All Thread

[Ratash]

^^ He was really on top during his prime, and that's why we know them as big 3 or big 4 with Murray in the picture.

Unfortunately, amongst the 4 he was really the first one to crack, I mean his body really took a tool too early in his career and wasn't able to extend his dominance with a injury and then the big 3 takes over. I do hope that he can still reignite his career, but I have said before, it will be difficult and I doubt that he will win another tournament.

Sadly its too difficult for me to see nadal struggling too early but as you said lately he was injured more often and he didnt play for a long term so loosing against murray and a young shapovalov but with extensive preparation and some rest i am sure nadal will get better i dont know about winning tournements but i think he still can be a major competetor in them.

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[aoluain]

^^ He was really on top during his prime, and that's why we know them as big 3 or big 4 with Murray in the picture.

Unfortunately, amongst the 4 he was really the first one to crack, I mean his body really took a tool too early in his career and wasn't able to extend his dominance with a injury and then the big 3 takes over. I do hope that he can still reignite his career, but I have said before, it will be difficult and I doubt that he will win another tournament.

Sadly its too difficult for me to see nadal struggling too early but as you said lately he was injured more often and he didnt play for a long term so loosing against murray and a young shapovalov but with extensive preparation and some rest i am sure nadal will get better i dont know about winning tournements but i think he still can be a major competetor in them.

Oh yes, Nadal will continue to be a major competitor, TBH as much as I like Andy
Murray I cannot see him beating Nadal when he comes back fully from his injury.

I can see Zverev, Medvedev and obviously Djokovic being extremely difficult for Nadal
to beat in 2022 but it all depends on the rate of recovery and what level he recovers to,
90%, 99% ?

[mv1986]

I'm not sure how exactly it works for the top seeded players and for all actually.
Can you just notify you are playing and then at a later stage confirm you have been
vaccinated? is there a deadline?

Just reading an article which is 6 hours old but could be older on https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1534172/Novak-Djokovic-Australian-Open-medical-exemption-Covid-vaccine-Scott-Morrison-tennis-news

The Australian Prime Minister has slammed suggestions that Novak Djokovic
could receive a medical exemption to play the Australian Open. The world No 1 has been in
doubt to play the season-opening Grand Slam after vaccination became
mandatory for all players, as he refuses to disclose whether he has been jabbed.
Djokovic then put himself on the entry list for the tournament but there was
speculation he would attempt to apply for an exemption to compete without being vaccinated.

As far as I understand, Djokovic just applied to perform at the GS in Australia, but the certificate of vaccination he don't need to give now but when entering Australia, which is logical because we know that Covid certificates have a limited duration.
So, Djokovic is only on the entry list for the GS in Australia, and it is a completely different story whether he will be able to enter Australia without vaccination or not.
Covid's rules in Australia are very strict, probably the strictest in the world and I would be really surprised if the Australian government decides to make an exception for Djokovic.
I think such a decision would infuriate many Australians who have been banned from traveling to Australia or outside Australia for 2 years, even with a Covid certificate or if they have been vaccinated.
It would be a very controversial political decision with very big consequences and I do not believe that any politician in Australia would risk that much, even if it because of Djokovic.

I don't understand why Djokovic is freaking out so much about it. It is not like he would have a disadvantage if literally all other players are vaccinated as well. Look at Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich in soccer, rejected to get vaccinated and now his lungs suffer from infiltration and as he is now prone to myocarditis he won't be able to play this year and perhaps even in the beginning of next year.

It's his beliefs mate and that's why Djokovic doesn't want to take the jab.

But it is so unfair for other players if he will get the exemption, again the argument that star players are given star treatment which should not be the case here.

If he doesn't want to take the vaccine, then so be it, no jab no Australian Open chance for him next year.

That's definitely an opinion I would support here. I also have no problem with anyone deciding to not take the vaccine, but it shouldn't be at the cost of people who try to demonstrate solidarity for society. No special treatment for special people should be a major principle to be adhered to during this pandemic (and always anyway).

In my country nowadays we get to see frontline workers reaching home to verify whether everyone vaccinated. If someone haven't got vaccinated, they were requested to get vaccinated. Most of the people agree, and there might be few exceptions. Same as this is most of the players. More rumours were around, which is the reason for high profiled people getting exemption.

Ok I understand that but still I think there shouldn't be any exemptions. Many of the players get the vaccine not only to protect themselves, but also to protect others. They take it because of solidarity reasons. After all it is a difficult situation for everyone involved, that is beyond question. But exemption seem to not be the right answer in my opinion. 

[aoluain]

No I cannot see an exemption being granted.


News in regarding Nadal, he tested positive for COVID!

https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/rafael-nadal-tests-positive-to-covid19-casting-doubt-over-australian-open/news-story/117225327389a8d1c1c6e0c80dbe280b

I guess this is something he really doesnt need at this stage on te year and just
when he is trying to get fit for the AO.

He is vaccinated though so I wonder how severe his symptoms are?

[Rabi3]

Okay, let's talk a little bit about tennis results, for a change 

Andy Murray was unable to cap a strong week in the Middle East with a win as he lost the Mubadala World Tennis Championship final in straight sets to Andrey Rublev.
The Russian world number five won 6-4 7-6 (7-2) to secure the title at the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
Despite the defeat, Murray said he was optimistic as he continues to try and reignite his career after having two major hip operations.
"I have been pretty healthy over the last three months, I've got to play a lot of matches," said the three-time Grand Slam winner, who is working with coach Jan de Witt after his split with Jamie Delgado.

"I just need to find a way of turning some of these matches against the top players around and hopefully I can have some big runs in the biggest tournaments again, that's my goal.
"I'm trying as hard as I can to do that."

To me personally, Murray has always been a sympathetic player, and if he hadn’t had so many injuries, he probably would have had an even bigger career, with a lot more tournaments won and wins.
The very fact that he achieved everything while they were active and playing the three greatest tennis players in history says it all.
I remember for a while there was even talk of the big four of world tennis but the story went the other way and Murray was stopped by a number of injuries.
I congratulate him on his great will and enthusiasm but I am afraid his time is up.
What do you think?

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59712133

I hate to admit it too but I think Murray can't go a long way in a big tournament, but I can see him making a surprise once in a while by beating a player on top right now, although that won't help him a lot since he got used to winning grand slams and gold medals and as tennis fans we got used to that as well, sadly that injury that led to a surgery he had to do which kept him away from tennis courts for a long time and obviously it affected him a lot.

[aoluain]

^
Yes he can probably beat some top 10 players in 2022 but I wouldnt expect it to
be a regular occurrence. This year he beat Hurkacz and Tiafoe as his most notable
wins but I cannot see him beating any of the top 5.

As a betting option, I would only bet on him in round 1 games because I think
he will have mixed results in round 2 games.

[Trofo]

I hate to admit it too but I think Murray can't go a long way in a big tournament, but I can see him making a surprise once in a while by beating a player on top right now, although that won't help him a lot since he got used to winning grand slams and gold medals and as tennis fans we got used to that as well, sadly that injury that led to a surgery he had to do which kept him away from tennis courts for a long time and obviously it affected him a lot.

It is not just an injury, he had hip resurfacing surgery, not gonna go in details since I don't know them exactly but that is one step before total artificial hip. Basically half of the components of his hip are artificial but he kept some actual "bones". He already told in interview that his range of motion is not what it was and that it happens that he is simply unable to play the point the way he did before in some situation. He has to rewire all those instincts and reinvent his game.

Having in mind all that I think he made remarkable recovery and that he can win against lot of the players on the tour. Top 5 could be a bit too much but all other players are fair game. He will use all those "problems" those guys have and make them a worse player. It is what he was best at always.

Brought me a lot of money in Abu Dhabi against Nadal, I even posted the tip here since it was odds of almost @2.5 when he should have been a heavy favorite. I would have taken anything over 1.5 on that match. Even 2:0 in sets. Hopefully some of you followed.

[Daniel91]

The big tennis scandal with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai and her accusations that a prominent Chinese politician raped her still seems to be unresolved.

''Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has denied making an accusation of sexual assault, in her first media interview since alleging a top Chinese leader had coerced her to have sex.''
''In her original note, which was posted on the Chinese social media platform Weibo in November, she accused former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex with him.''
''"We remain steadfast in our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation… into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern," the WTA said.''
''The WTA has suspended all of its tournaments in China over the issue, putting pressure on the IOC and other sporting groups to take similar actions. They have declined to do so.''

This has already become a great tennis story involving sports, politics and the whole country.
Will the real truth ever be found out and what will happen to this tennis player?
Because of this affair, the WTA has already punished China and suspended all tennis tournaments in China.
Many tennis players like Djokovic, Serena and others gave their support to Peng Shuai and asked for the truth to be established.
What do you think?

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-59723676

[btc_angela]

^^ I don't think that China will give in to these pressures from WTA and the whole tennis organizations. There are even reports that Peng Shuai has disappeared or at least not seen in public after her revelation. And we all know how authoritative the government are, so I doubt it will have an effect on them in my opinion. Meaning, they won't do any investigations and the accused might go free because he is a high ranking government official now.

[aoluain]

I would like to think China will give into this allegation by Peng Shuai and take action
against that politician, this is really high profile and if gone unpunished it doesnt set
a very good statement. It really says that if you are a politician you are above the law.

The more high profile players and others are vocal in condemning this behaviour the more
pressure will be on officials to take action.

[Kemarit]

^^ I don't think that China will give in to these pressures from WTA and the whole tennis organizations. There are even reports that Peng Shuai has disappeared or at least not seen in public after her revelation. And we all know how authoritative the government are, so I doubt it will have an effect on them in my opinion. Meaning, they won't do any investigations and the accused might go free because he is a high ranking government official now.

I believed otherwise, that authoritarian regime will have to give in the pressures one time or another. Specially if it involves high ranking officials? for sure they are going to look at that case. Maybe they are right now that's why they remain quiet. It might takes months or years though, so I'm expecting that maybe next year we are going to hear about this case.

[Daniel91]

^^ I don't think that China will give in to these pressures from WTA and the whole tennis organizations. There are even reports that Peng Shuai has disappeared or at least not seen in public after her revelation. And we all know how authoritative the government are, so I doubt it will have an effect on them in my opinion. Meaning, they won't do any investigations and the accused might go free because he is a high ranking government official now.

I believed otherwise, that authoritarian regime will have to give in the pressures one time or another. Specially if it involves high ranking officials? for sure they are going to look at that case. Maybe they are right now that's why they remain quiet. It might takes months or years though, so I'm expecting that maybe next year we are going to hear about this case.

I wouldn't agree with you.
First of all, this case is completely covered up in China and is not mentioned in public at all.
Even any trace of this news has been deleted on the Internet.
After announcing this news that she was raped, the Chinese tennis player disappeared from the public, and the news was deleted within a few hours.
Only after great international pressure, and the threat of international sports organizations to cancel sports competitions in China, the Chinese tennis player finally appeared in public but there is still a suspicion that she is free to do or say what she wants.
Many people make the mistake of assuming that Western democratic standards apply in China as well.
In fact, there is no real freedom in China and the Chinese Communist Party decides everything.
From their point of view, the Chinese tennis player has damaged the country's reputation and must be punished for that.
Even the cancellation of tennis tournaments in China will not change anything in such Chinese politics, where the interests of the nation are always more important than the interests of the individual.
Peng Shuai has accused a member of the Chinese party leadership of raping her, damaging the country's reputation and I personally do not believe she will ever be able to leave the country or play tennis again.

[Yaunfitda]

This is also my impression specially when she disappeared from the public and I'm thinking that the government is trying to cover her tracks as if to completely erase everything from the internet.

Anyhow, we do hope that they will make some actions about this 'allegations'. Tennis world haven't been rock with this some kind of scandals in the last 10 years and hopefully there will be others coming out.

[aoluain]

^^ I don't think that China will give in to these pressures from WTA and the whole tennis organizations. There are even reports that Peng Shuai has disappeared or at least not seen in public after her revelation. And we all know how authoritative the government are, so I doubt it will have an effect on them in my opinion. Meaning, they won't do any investigations and the accused might go free because he is a high ranking government official now.

I believed otherwise, that authoritarian regime will have to give in the pressures one time or another. Specially if it involves high ranking officials? for sure they are going to look at that case. Maybe they are right now that's why they remain quiet. It might takes months or years though, so I'm expecting that maybe next year we are going to hear about this case.

I wouldn't agree with you.
First of all, this case is completely covered up in China and is not mentioned in public at all.
Even any trace of this news has been deleted on the Internet.
After announcing this news that she was raped, the Chinese tennis player disappeared from the public, and the news was deleted within a few hours.
Only after great international pressure, and the threat of international sports organizations to cancel sports competitions in China, the Chinese tennis player finally appeared in public but there is still a suspicion that she is free to do or say what she wants.
Many people make the mistake of assuming that Western democratic standards apply in China as well.
In fact, there is no real freedom in China and the Chinese Communist Party decides everything.
From their point of view, the Chinese tennis player has damaged the country's reputation and must be punished for that.
Even the cancellation of tennis tournaments in China will not change anything in such Chinese politics, where the interests of the nation are always more important than the interests of the individual.
Peng Shuai has accused a member of the Chinese party leadership of raping her, damaging the country's reputation and I personally do not believe she will ever be able to leave the country or play tennis again.

Thats a terrible state of affairs if it comes to pass, surely because of the
publicity this has got China would not want to rock the boat any further
and allow her to travel. Then again as above China is a very different
country to western standards and may not feel the need to bow to any
pressure the west generates.

This is also my impression specially when she disappeared from the public and I'm thinking that the government is trying to cover her tracks as if to completely erase everything from the internet.

Anyhow, we do hope that they will make some actions about this 'allegations'. Tennis world haven't been rock with this some kind of scandals in the last 10 years and hopefully there will be others coming out.

Yea there was definitely an attempt at a cover up ombined with Peng Shuai
keeping a low profile.

[Kemarit]

^^ I don't think that China will give in to these pressures from WTA and the whole tennis organizations. There are even reports that Peng Shuai has disappeared or at least not seen in public after her revelation. And we all know how authoritative the government are, so I doubt it will have an effect on them in my opinion. Meaning, they won't do any investigations and the accused might go free because he is a high ranking government official now.

I believed otherwise, that authoritarian regime will have to give in the pressures one time or another. Specially if it involves high ranking officials? for sure they are going to look at that case. Maybe they are right now that's why they remain quiet. It might takes months or years though, so I'm expecting that maybe next year we are going to hear about this case.

I wouldn't agree with you.
First of all, this case is completely covered up in China and is not mentioned in public at all.
Even any trace of this news has been deleted on the Internet.
After announcing this news that she was raped, the Chinese tennis player disappeared from the public, and the news was deleted within a few hours.
Only after great international pressure, and the threat of international sports organizations to cancel sports competitions in China, the Chinese tennis player finally appeared in public but there is still a suspicion that she is free to do or say what she wants.
Many people make the mistake of assuming that Western democratic standards apply in China as well.
In fact, there is no real freedom in China and the Chinese Communist Party decides everything.
From their point of view, the Chinese tennis player has damaged the country's reputation and must be punished for that.
Even the cancellation of tennis tournaments in China will not change anything in such Chinese politics, where the interests of the nation are always more important than the interests of the individual.
Peng Shuai has accused a member of the Chinese party leadership of raping her, damaging the country's reputation and I personally do not believe she will ever be able to leave the country or play tennis again.

Yes, I know the state of how the government is being run in China, it's very authoritative indeed.

But I do agree that at some point in time, they will have to come clean in this one and proved that they value equal opportunity. I'm basing that they have executed even high ranking of corruption in the past so I'm betting that they will do the same in the Peng Shuai case here, so let's see how it goes.

[btc_angela]

^^ Only time can tell bro, but as you have said, they are oppressive government that women's right or any other rights for that matter are going to be stomp by them to quash any freedom from anyone. Remember the Tiananmen square and it's aftermath? Even if the world condemn it, China insists that they didn't go anything wrong. Now they are bullying countries in the disputed West Philippine Sea. So China has a history already, just saying.

[Cnut237]

Peng Shuai has accused a member of the Chinese party leadership of raping her, damaging the country's reputation and I personally do not believe she will ever be able to leave the country or play tennis again.

It depends. For an ordinary person, who is not especially brave, then intimidation would probably work. They could say we will let you travel so long as you remain silent, but if you try to defect then we can track you down very easily. This would probably be enough of a threat. But Peng Shuai has demonstrated that as well as being a great tennis player, she is also an extraordinarily brave person to go up against the Chinese authorities as she has. I would imagine intimidation won't work too well on her personally.... but of course they can also threaten to harm her family if she steps out of line, which is another issue entirely.

Basically the whole world knows that China is guilty here, even if she 'voluntarily' retracts her allegation. How China reacts to this situation is a question that can have far-reaching consequences.

[Jating]

Peng Shuai has accused a member of the Chinese party leadership of raping her, damaging the country's reputation and I personally do not believe she will ever be able to leave the country or play tennis again.

It depends. For an ordinary person, who is not especially brave, then intimidation would probably work. They could say we will let you travel so long as you remain silent, but if you try to defect then we can track you down very easily. This would probably be enough of a threat. But Peng Shuai has demonstrated that as well as being a great tennis player, she is also an extraordinarily brave person to go up against the Chinese authorities as she has. I would imagine intimidation won't work too well on her personally.... but of course they can also threaten to harm her family if she steps out of line, which is another issue entirely.

Basically the whole world knows that China is guilty here, even if she 'voluntarily' retracts her allegation. How China reacts to this situation is a question that can have far-reaching consequences.

And maybe the next time that se will resurface, maybe she will retracts everything?

Even billionaires like Jack Ma was not an exemption as he was also a victim of the Chinese government when he spoke against it 2 years ago and then suddenly he also disappears, and perhaps to silence him.

Although the case might be different, but you can see how the government will treat everyone when you are going to attack government officials or the government itself.

[aoluain]

Peng Shuai has accused a member of the Chinese party leadership of raping her, damaging the country's reputation and I personally do not believe she will ever be able to leave the country or play tennis again.

It depends. For an ordinary person, who is not especially brave, then intimidation would probably work. They could say we will let you travel so long as you remain silent, but if you try to defect then we can track you down very easily. This would probably be enough of a threat. But Peng Shuai has demonstrated that as well as being a great tennis player, she is also an extraordinarily brave person to go up against the Chinese authorities as she has. I would imagine intimidation won't work too well on her personally.... but of course they can also threaten to harm her family if she steps out of line, which is another issue entirely.

Basically the whole world knows that China is guilty here, even if she 'voluntarily' retracts her allegation. How China reacts to this situation is a question that can have far-reaching consequences.

Yes the whole world knows about this but dors China care what we know, they
are more worried about the damage caused by the allegation to the government,
although somehow there may not be too many complaints within China for fear
of what could happen to an individual.

[Daniel91]

Current tennis news:
''Australian Open organisers are still unsure if defending men's champion Novak Djokovic will play at next month's Grand Slam.''
"If Novak shows up, he'll be vaccinated or have a medical exemption," said tournament director Craig Tiley.''
''Tiley said "a small percentage" of unvaccinated players and staff would be granted medical exemptions. He said he was not aware of any players informing organisers they had an exemption.''
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59745818

It seems to me that everything is going according to the expected scenario that Djokovic will still perform in Australia based on a medical exception.  What do you think?

''Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for the main draw of the Australian Open in January.
The 34-year-old Briton missed the 2021 tournament after he was not allowed to travel to Melbourne following a positive test for coronavirus.
Tournament director Craig Tiley added: "Andy is renowned for his fighting spirit, passion and love of the game and I'm delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne in January."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/59770652

I believe that many sincere tennis fans will welcome this decision and the opportunity to watch his performance in Australia once again.

As for Peng Shuai, she actually suffered great and irreparable damage and her tennis career is probably ruined, during which she was the best tennis player in the world in doubles.
Obviously, the Chinese state has sided with the abuser and not the victim, and that is a message for other women in Chinese society.
The message is that if a powerful person rapes you, you better keep quiet and obey, or the state will force you to remain silent and punish you if necessary.
I feel sorry for that woman who was a very good tennis player and now her life has completely changed, and everyone will remember her for this case and not for her great tennis career.
Given all that has happened, the question is whether she will ever be able to return to a normal life and continue her successful tennis career.