Tennis League All Thread

[aoluain]

Players are now talking about skipping Wimbledon, Norrie has said he thinks a lot of top names will skip it, Osaka has said she personally might skip it. Both mentioned that without ranking points, it's basically an exhibition tournament.

I have to say I'm a bit surprised at first, but thinking about it this does make perfect sense. Players have a long and tiring season, now they've been given the chance of a free mid-season break with no points to worry about... time to freshen up and get ready for the hard court season.

Absolutely, a welcome break from a busy season and if those big names pull out lesser
"ranked" players will see it as a chance to boost their bank accounts as they have a chance
to go further in the tournament and be the unlikely winner of such a prestigious event!

[Trofo]

Players are now talking about skipping Wimbledon, Norrie has said he thinks a lot of top names will skip it, Osaka has said she personally might skip it. Both mentioned that without ranking points, it's basically an exhibition tournament.

I have to say I'm a bit surprised at first, but thinking about it this does make perfect sense. Players have a long and tiring season, now they've been given the chance of a free mid-season break with no points to worry about... time to freshen up and get ready for the hard court season.

Absolutely, a welcome break from a busy season and if those big names pull out lesser
"ranked" players will see it as a chance to boost their bank accounts as they have a chance
to go further in the tournament and be the unlikely winner of such a prestigious event!

You have to also consider that Wimbeldon is a pinnacle of very short grass season. I am sure some of the top players that don't like grass surface will use that whole month to train and fill batteries to perform at their peak on hard turf.

There aren't points but there are still enormous cash rewards. Everybody will want to collect that with exception of some top 20 players like Nadal maybe. Norrie is from UK, I am sure he is playing even without points no matter what he talks.

[casperBGD]

~snip
Everybody will want to collect that with exception of some top 20 players like Nadal maybe. Norrie is from UK, I am sure he is playing even without points no matter what he talks.

agree that Nadal will maybe skip Wimbledon, it is hard for his knees to adapt to grass surface, he talked a lot about that, and he is hardly a favorite there
only major reason to participate is to stop Djokovic from another grand slam probably, and chances for that are really slim for Nadal

if he is well, he could win over Djokovic on RG, but on Wimbledon, I do not think he has a chance, and he is probably aware of that as well

[Ratash]

All favourites to win the title has won today, it was obvious that their opponents did not stand a chance i think this year roland carros competition will be more competitive than the recent ones we have another favourite one which is alcaraz, i think it will be a triple war between nadal, djokovic and alcaraz there are some others but it will be tough for them to get the win.

[Rabi3]

~snip
Everybody will want to collect that with exception of some top 20 players like Nadal maybe. Norrie is from UK, I am sure he is playing even without points no matter what he talks.

agree that Nadal will maybe skip Wimbledon, it is hard for his knees to adapt to grass surface, he talked a lot about that, and he is hardly a favorite there
only major reason to participate is to stop Djokovic from another grand slam probably, and chances for that are really slim for Nadal

if he is well, he could win over Djokovic on RG, but on Wimbledon, I do not think he has a chance, and he is probably aware of that as well

Don't underestimate Djokovic's chances in Roland Garros, he won it last year and he for sure don't want to lose more points, he's already going to lose 2000 points of Wimbledon because of all that crap, he has to give it all I Roland Garros to make up for that, he's the favorite to win it so it won't be a surprise if he does.

[aoluain]

All favourites to win the title has won today, it was obvious that their opponents did not stand a chance i think this year roland carros competition will be more competitive than the recent ones we have another favourite one which is alcaraz, i think it will be a triple war between nadal, djokovic and alcaraz there are some others but it will be tough for them to get the win.

yes all won decisively, there is no getting away from it that its a three horse race so to speak.

On the womens side I was hoping to put an in-play bet on Swiatek but she demolished Tsurenko
6-2 and 6-0. She was in control from start to finish. There really isnt anyone who can trouble her
and few chances to make a bet on her other than going on a handicap.

Similar to the me s side for Djokovic, Nadal and Alcaraz early on in the rounds.

[Yaunfitda]

Yeah, but there are some games that are suspended, and most of them are my bets and with parlays, lol. So I guess I have to wait for them, don't know what time they're going to resumed, but I will not wait as it might be too late in my time when the game starts.

But there are games that's been playing right now, but not going to bet. Much better to wait for my previous parlays and see how it goes.

[Daniel91]

Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka is not sure she will play Wimbledon, saying that without ranking points it is "more like an exhibition".
"I feel like if I play Wimbledon without points, it's more like an exhibition. I know this isn't true, right? But my brain just like feels that way. Whenever I think like something is like an exhibition, I just can't go at it 100%.
I didn't even make my decision yet, but I'm leaning more towards not playing given the current circumstances."
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/61553327

How many tennis players think this way and who else could cancel their participation in Wimbledon?
It seems that in the end, Wimbledon GS will be severely weakened and will almost turn into an exhibition tournament due to the decision of the organizers to ban the performance of Russian and Belarusian tennis players.
If Djokovic takes this opportunity and wins his new GS tournament, it seems that this eventual triumph of Djokovic at Wimbledon will always be overshadowed by doubt and controversy.
This is really not good news for all sincere tennis fans.
Because of playing Wimbledon without points, Djokovic will actually suffer great damage because he will be the biggest loser in this story.

[Kemarit]

We almost got an upset when Tsitsipas went down 0-2 against Musetti.

So he has to climb back from that deficit and win the next three sets in fashion. And then again, Dennis Shapovalov (inconsistency), and after the game he said he felt some pressure because of the Wimbledon decision, not sure how true is that but a lost is a lost I guess.

Later it will be Nadal against Moutet in the second round. And fellow Spaniards Alcaraz vs Ramos Vinolas.

[Davidvictorson]

How many tennis players think this way and who else could cancel their participation in Wimbledon?
It seems that in the end, Wimbledon GS will be severely weakened and will almost turn into an exhibition tournament due to the decision of the organizers to ban the performance of Russian and Belarusian tennis players.
If Djokovic takes this opportunity and wins his new GS tournament, it seems that this eventual triumph of Djokovic at Wimbledon will always be overshadowed by doubt and controversy.
This is really not good news for all sincere tennis fans.
Because of playing Wimbledon without points, Djokovic will actually suffer great damage because he will be the biggest loser in this story.

Two wrongs do not make a right.  No one should mix politics with sport.  I don't support Wimbledon's decision at all and ATP as well.  No one should ban anyone. This is just  ATP is trying to put its foot down but they are hurting players who worked so hard for their points. Wimbledon will be a joke this year, most players are very likely not to  turn-up as there is no incentive. Djokovic will now lose 2,000 points from last year. And it is not fair or democratic.

[Trofo]

We almost got an upset when Tsitsipas went down 0-2 against Musetti.

So he has to climb back from that deficit and win the next three sets in fashion. And then again, Dennis Shapovalov (inconsistency), and after the game he said he felt some pressure because of the Wimbledon decision, not sure how true is that but a lost is a lost I guess.

Later it will be Nadal against Moutet in the second round. And fellow Spaniards Alcaraz vs Ramos Vinolas.

Shapovalov is very good on grass, so he counted on that points in his season, I guess that creates extra pressure to perform better on other tournament then.

Tsitsipas managed to turn it around but Busta lost to Simon after looking well for comeback. This is maybe biggest surprise for me so far.

[aoluain]

We almost got an upset when Tsitsipas went down 0-2 against Musetti.

So he has to climb back from that deficit and win the next three sets in fashion. And then again, Dennis Shapovalov (inconsistency), and after the game he said he felt some pressure because of the Wimbledon decision, not sure how true is that but a lost is a lost I guess.

Later it will be Nadal against Moutet in the second round. And fellow Spaniards Alcaraz vs Ramos Vinolas.

Shapovalov is very good on grass, so he counted on that points in his season, I guess that creates extra pressure to perform better on other tournament then.

Tsitsipas managed to turn it around but Busta lost to Simon after looking well for comeback. This is maybe biggest surprise for me so far.

I was watching some of the Tsitsipas/Musetti match and keeping an eye on the
Carreno Busta/Simon one too, I was going to do an in play bet on Carreno Busta
in the second set but had my doubts about it, that was one good decision I made,
thats a bit of an upset alright.

I also did an inplay bet on Tsitsipas when he went 2-0 in the third set, so that worked
out well.

I also caught the last 2 sets of Gaston v de Minaur, that was incredibly entertaining,
the audience made it very exciting and Gaston got great energy from them to win in
a thrilling 5 setter with a tie break in the 5th.

[PawGo]

On the womens side I was hoping to put an in-play bet on Swiatek but she demolished Tsurenko
6-2 and 6-0. She was in control from start to finish. There really isnt anyone who can trouble her
and few chances to make a bet on her other than going on a handicap.

It seems Swiatek is 99% sure winner this year. Odds are almost discouraging to bet on her. Let's see how it will be against Riske (43rd). She has never passed the 2nd round and the most probably she will not defeat Swiatek.

On the other hand, Polish fans are also interested in today's Hurkacz-Cecchinato.

[Daniel91]

How many tennis players think this way and who else could cancel their participation in Wimbledon?
It seems that in the end, Wimbledon GS will be severely weakened and will almost turn into an exhibition tournament due to the decision of the organizers to ban the performance of Russian and Belarusian tennis players.
If Djokovic takes this opportunity and wins his new GS tournament, it seems that this eventual triumph of Djokovic at Wimbledon will always be overshadowed by doubt and controversy.
This is really not good news for all sincere tennis fans.
Because of playing Wimbledon without points, Djokovic will actually suffer great damage because he will be the biggest loser in this story.

Two wrongs do not make a right.  No one should mix politics with sport.  I don't support Wimbledon's decision at all and ATP as well.  No one should ban anyone. This is just  ATP is trying to put its foot down but they are hurting players who worked so hard for their points. Wimbledon will be a joke this year, most players are very likely not to  turn-up as there is no incentive. Djokovic will now lose 2,000 points from last year. And it is not fair or democratic.

I agree with you.
More and more tennis players are talking about this situation and expressing their dissatisfaction.
Here are the latest statements:

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova, who like Shapovalov is set to be one of the biggest losers in terms of ranking because she will be unable to defend the points she gathered on her run to last year's final, said the outcome was "bad and unfair".
Russian player Andrey Rublev blamed Wimbledon's initial decision for creating a "toxic relationship" and his compatriot Daniil Medvedev said the All England Club's move did not seem "very logical".

Shapovalov, ranked 15th in the world, said the decision put him under "added pressure" to succeed in Paris.
''France's Benoit Paire addressed the situation unprompted in his news conference, claiming "99% of players" want points to be available at Wimbledon.
"I'm sorry for Russia and Russians, but they are the ones causing all the trouble - and all the ATP players are actually paying the price," he said.

''World number seven Rublev has spoken out against the war in Ukraine and said last month the ban by Wimbledon was "complete discrimination".
On Tuesday, the 24-year-old added he thought the move by the ATP had to be made to show the tournaments "they cannot do whatever they want".
"Tennis, in my opinion, is the only one sport that we need tournaments to work together - and tournaments need players to work together," said Rublev.
"When we have a toxic relationship, like now, only the bad things can happen."

''Medvedev, 26, has tried to distance himself from expressing his support for either the ATP and WTA, or Wimbledon.
"When I read why the ATP made this decision, I found it very logical what they said. This is what I didn't find in Wimbledon explanations," said the world number two.
"I'm not saying which decision is right, but at least so far in explaining their decisions, I found [the] ATP just more logical and more consecutive."''

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/61572236

In short, all tennis players are very dissatisfied with the recent decisions to ban Russian and Belarusian tennis players from participating in Wimbledon, but also with the later decision of the ATP and WTA to remove ranking points from Wimbledon.
No matter how this situation ended, great damage has already been done and instead of talking and enjoying tennis, we discuss the decisions of the organizers and tennis associations.
Too much politics has been in sports lately.

[cryptofrka]

They will all eventually play - they play for money first after all. Winning a Wimbledon will always carry extra meaning as well.

I am glad the players are complaining though, and I am glad that the ATP put some pressure on All England Club. I support the decision 100%, punishing individuals due to their nationality is a discriminatory act and should never be used as a 'balancing' mechanism.

[Juggy777]

How many tennis players think this way and who else could cancel their participation in Wimbledon?
It seems that in the end, Wimbledon GS will be severely weakened and will almost turn into an exhibition tournament due to the decision of the organizers to ban the performance of Russian and Belarusian tennis players.
If Djokovic takes this opportunity and wins his new GS tournament, it seems that this eventual triumph of Djokovic at Wimbledon will always be overshadowed by doubt and controversy.
This is really not good news for all sincere tennis fans.
Because of playing Wimbledon without points, Djokovic will actually suffer great damage because he will be the biggest loser in this story.

Two wrongs do not make a right.  No one should mix politics with sport.  I don't support Wimbledon's decision at all and ATP as well.  No one should ban anyone. This is just  ATP is trying to put its foot down but they are hurting players who worked so hard for their points. Wimbledon will be a joke this year, most players are very likely not to  turn-up as there is no incentive. Djokovic will now lose 2,000 points from last year. And it is not fair or democratic.

I agree with you.
More and more tennis players are talking about this situation and expressing their dissatisfaction.
Here are the latest statements:

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova, who like Shapovalov is set to be one of the biggest losers in terms of ranking because she will be unable to defend the points she gathered on her run to last year's final, said the outcome was "bad and unfair".
Russian player Andrey Rublev blamed Wimbledon's initial decision for creating a "toxic relationship" and his compatriot Daniil Medvedev said the All England Club's move did not seem "very logical".

Shapovalov, ranked 15th in the world, said the decision put him under "added pressure" to succeed in Paris.
''France's Benoit Paire addressed the situation unprompted in his news conference, claiming "99% of players" want points to be available at Wimbledon.
"I'm sorry for Russia and Russians, but they are the ones causing all the trouble - and all the ATP players are actually paying the price," he said.

''World number seven Rublev has spoken out against the war in Ukraine and said last month the ban by Wimbledon was "complete discrimination".
On Tuesday, the 24-year-old added he thought the move by the ATP had to be made to show the tournaments "they cannot do whatever they want".
"Tennis, in my opinion, is the only one sport that we need tournaments to work together - and tournaments need players to work together," said Rublev.
"When we have a toxic relationship, like now, only the bad things can happen."

''Medvedev, 26, has tried to distance himself from expressing his support for either the ATP and WTA, or Wimbledon.
"When I read why the ATP made this decision, I found it very logical what they said. This is what I didn't find in Wimbledon explanations," said the world number two.
"I'm not saying which decision is right, but at least so far in explaining their decisions, I found [the] ATP just more logical and more consecutive."''

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/61572236

In short, all tennis players are very dissatisfied with the recent decisions to ban Russian and Belarusian tennis players from participating in Wimbledon, but also with the later decision of the ATP and WTA to remove ranking points from Wimbledon.
No matter how this situation ended, great damage has already been done and instead of talking and enjoying tennis, we discuss the decisions of the organizers and tennis associations.
Too much politics has been in sports lately.

@Daniel91 I personally feel that this decision should never have been taken, or they should have called the player’s in for consultation but now it’s too late the damage is done, and the biggest losers are the fans who love this sport so much.

They will all eventually play - they play for money first after all. Winning a Wimbledon will always carry extra meaning as well.

I am glad the players are complaining though, and I am glad that the ATP put some pressure on All England Club. I support the decision 100%, punishing individuals due to their nationality is a discriminatory act and should never be used as a 'balancing' mechanism.

@cryptofrka you’re wrong for this situation because you have conveniently ignored player’s emotions, and secondly why would player’s risk playing with zero points to earn when they can keep themselves fresh for other tournaments, hence I agree with the above posters that we’re going to witness an mediocre Wimbledon this year.

[cryptofrka]

@cryptofrka you’re wrong for this situation because you have conveniently ignored player’s emotions, and secondly why would player’s risk playing with zero points to earn when they can keep themselves fresh for other tournaments, hence I agree with the above posters that we’re going to witness an mediocre Wimbledon this year.

I did not ignore players emotions at all, I'm really not satisfied that it came down to this. Sports should be fully disconnected from politics.

I'm simply stating the opinion that although players aren't happy (and should not be happy) - that they will still find reasons to play and that there won't be any major withdrawals from the tournament.

What I hope will happen is that they will find common ground and allow all athletes to participate - meaning that ATP would lift their points ban as well.

[Cnut237]

They will all eventually play - they play for money first after all. Winning a Wimbledon will always carry extra meaning as well.

I am glad the players are complaining though, and I am glad that the ATP put some pressure on All England Club. I support the decision 100%, punishing individuals due to their nationality is a discriminatory act and should never be used as a 'balancing' mechanism.

@cryptofrka you’re wrong for this situation because you have conveniently ignored player’s emotions, and secondly why would player’s risk playing with zero points to earn when they can keep themselves fresh for other tournaments, hence I agree with the above posters that we’re going to witness an mediocre Wimbledon this year.

I think it will be a mixture. I'm sure some will withdraw, and equally others will play. Some will be tired and carrying injuries, others will be returning from injury and wanting to play to get some match practice in, some will want the money, some will avoid it because no ranking points, some will still want to play just because it's Wimbledon, some will play just because they're in England anyway playing other tournaments such as Queen's that do have ranking points... it will be a mixture.

[casperBGD]

~snip
Too much politics has been in sports lately.

it is not lately, it was always the case, but it is a chicken and egg situation
while I do not support Wimbledon to ban Russian players (and Belorussian especially, for the matter), it is a fact that Medvedev rushed to see Putin after winning US Open, so not sure who mixed politics and sport first

I do understand when some heavy lifter, taekwondo champion or swimmer (where earned money from sport is small, especially in emerging countries) are depending on politicians for support, but Medvedev and other big stars do not need to rush to see politicians (and other sportsmen for the matter, as well) after big success, and they do that regularly, so mixing politics and sport first

it is always money all around, those that do not have it (taekwondo, for example) rush to politicians for financial support, while top stars rush to politicians to support their investments in the country they are living

[MonsterV]

I am also curious what Botic van de Zandschulp will do against Nadal. assuming that Nadal will make it to the next round. The Zandschulp's was still 150 of the world around this time last year and is now top 30. Nadal is in a class of his own on clay, would he manage to win the French open again? Djokovic has little support from everyone I think because of his behavior lately.