Tennis League All Thread

[Daniel91]

Serena Williams just gave a very interesting interview, about the reasons for returning to Wimbledon:

''Serena Williams says a big motivating factor behind her Wimbledon return was not wanting last year's tearful injury retirement to be her final SW19 memory.''
''Asked about her expectations at Wimbledon, the world number 1,204 said: "I have high goals, but also I don't know. We'll see."
''She has not played singles since waving a tearful farewell to Centre Court last year after slipping in the match against Belarus' Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
It was always something since the match ended that was always on my mind," she said. "So it was a tremendous amount of motivation for that.''
"I didn't retire. I just needed to heal physically, mentally," she said at the All England Club on Saturday.
I had no plans, to be honest. I just didn't know when I would come back. I didn't know how I would come back.
Obviously Wimbledon is such a great place to be, and it just kind of worked out."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/61936963

What a rested and recovered Serena can do at this Wimbledon?
She obviously wants a dignified farewell to Wimbledon and we may be watching the last performance of one of the greatest tennis legends in history.
It will be very interesting to watch her in the coming days.

[Kemarit]

^^ Not sure though, but yes, this is going to be maybe his last hurray in the Wimbledon so it's going to be fun tow watch Serena. Maybe she still has it getting past several rounds, but it's going to be very tough for her if she is match against a round and high rank opponents. And let's see if she really heals specially in the mental aspects of the game.

[Jating]

^^ Not sure though, but yes, this is going to be maybe his last hurray in the Wimbledon so it's going to be fun tow watch Serena. Maybe she still has it getting past several rounds, but it's going to be very tough for her if she is match against a round and high rank opponents. And let's see if she really heals specially in the mental aspects of the game.

Maybe that's what she really needs, more rest as she is aging and importantly, the psychology of the game. If her mind tells her that she can't compete at this high level of tennis, then for sure we will see Serena exiting early in Wimbledon. But is she has just that one push, like Nadal or even Andy Murray, then maybe there is a possibility but it will be very hard and difficult road for her.

[Franctoshi]

^^ Not sure though, but yes, this is going to be maybe his last hurray in the Wimbledon so it's going to be fun tow watch Serena. Maybe she still has it getting past several rounds, but it's going to be very tough for her if she is match against a round and high rank opponents. And let's see if she really heals specially in the mental aspects of the game.

That's very good to know, She might have gone back and have a rethink and she realized that ending her career with such a tearing injury would not mean well rather would left her with a negative career ending feelings, therefore returning to correct such impression is indeed good for her and I wish her well ending career as she returns. Can't wait to see her back to do what she knows well to do by playing in the competition in coming days.

[aoluain]

*pokes fun at self for Tsitsi finally taking something when have given up on him, and then of course only put money on him for Wimbledon oops*

For Williams maybe in the doubles if she plays with Jabeur ^{depending on how serious
her injury is which she picked up yesterday}. I wouldnt fancy her chances in a singles match,
she would brobably get through a couple of rounds all right.

@aoluain Yeah, left it out in the end, it's one thing to stay fit and able to play, quite another to come out on top vs Ons if they do end up meeting.

@Daniel91 Tennis pension, there's such a thing? Haha.

@Trofo Took a tip from UFC yesterday and smashed it, what's your tennis spider sense say?

Yea I was wondering if you had Tsitsipas backed, and yea its typical when holding off
backing him that he actually wins. In fairness though this year is a mixed bag for him.

^^ Not sure though, but yes, this is going to be maybe his last hurray in the Wimbledon so it's going to be fun tow watch Serena. Maybe she still has it getting past several rounds, but it's going to be very tough for her if she is match against a round and high rank opponents. And let's see if she really heals specially in the mental aspects of the game.

Maybe that's what she really needs, more rest as she is aging and importantly, the psychology of the game. If her mind tells her that she can't compete at this high level of tennis, then for sure we will see Serena exiting early in Wimbledon. But is she has just that one push, like Nadal or even Andy Murray, then maybe there is a possibility but it will be very hard and difficult road for her.

She has got lucky with a first round draw, she plays Harmony Tan, a player ranked
outside the top100, she should win that. As she progresses she will meet tougher
opposition. I'm taking from that article that she wants to leave on a positive tone, not
necessarily winning but not injured either.

[Trofo]

She has got lucky with a first round draw, she plays Harmony Tan, a player ranked
outside the top100, she should win that. As she progresses she will meet tougher
opposition. I'm taking from that article that she wants to leave on a positive tone, not
necessarily winning but not injured either.

But what is the positive tone for a champion like Serena? I am sure she would have considered just the title as a positive result in the past and I wonder if she adjusted the expectations. Don't forget, her own sister said multiple times that the difference between them is that Serena must win every match even when they are sparing. I feel like she is poised for a disappointment here.

[Ratash]

^^ Not sure though, but yes, this is going to be maybe his last hurray in the Wimbledon so it's going to be fun tow watch Serena. Maybe she still has it getting past several rounds, but it's going to be very tough for her if she is match against a round and high rank opponents. And let's see if she really heals specially in the mental aspects of the game.

Its been a long time since we have seen her compete i don't think she will be able to perform well she might even lose to low ranked opponents like what happened to dominic thiem, at this age and been away from the competition will really have a negative effect on her.

[aoluain]

She has got lucky with a first round draw, she plays Harmony Tan, a player ranked
outside the top100, she should win that. As she progresses she will meet tougher
opposition. I'm taking from that article that she wants to leave on a positive tone, not
necessarily winning but not injured either.

But what is the positive tone for a champion like Serena? I am sure she would have considered just the title as a positive result in the past and I wonder if she adjusted the expectations. Don't forget, her own sister said multiple times that the difference between them is that Serena must win every match even when they are sparing. I feel like she is poised for a disappointment here.

Ah I cannot believe Serena thinks she can win Wimbledon, I mean sure a lot of being a
top Tennis player is about having the right mentality as well as skills but surely with
her experience she has to know its a big ask?

Just looking at the matches for tomorrow, does it seem strange that some of the top
seeds are playing on the first day? Djokovic, Norrie, Alcaraz and Hurkacz.

[Zackgeno96]

Serena Williams would normally no longer have the fitness and age to win Wimbledon. Yet there is no one in the entire tournament among the women who has been as good as she ever was. And of course talent remains. It is also possible that players are in awe of Serena, because for many she was of course their idol. Maybe she just likes it too much to participate again. Strange things can happen on the tennis court. When a player isn't having her day and Serena is? Then even more strange things can happen. but again speaking, there's a 1% chance she's going to win it.

[Trofo]

Just looking at the matches for tomorrow, does it seem strange that some of the top
seeds are playing on the first day? Djokovic, Norrie, Alcaraz and Hurkacz.

Not at all, it is always like that at Grand Slams, top half of the draw plays on first day and bottom half on second day. It gets confusing since top seeds are free in first rounds of most tournaments from ATP 1000, 500 and 250 series. That means they usually start on second or third day but nobody gets a free pass on grand slams.

[Jating]

First round of Wimbledon will start in about 5-6 hours from now, my time.

I'm excited because we will have another very tough grand slams and of course our chance to bet and win again. Hurkacz vs Fokina might be a good one in this first round.

Djokovic vs Kwon and then Alcaraz vs Struff, Sinner and Wawrinka as well. Time to put some parlays for higher odds.

[Strongkored]

What a rested and recovered Serena can do at this Wimbledon?
She obviously wants a dignified farewell to Wimbledon and we may be watching the last performance of one of the greatest tennis legends in history.
It will be very interesting to watch her in the coming days.

She's a living legend finish her career at a major tournament like Wimbledon would have been an honor for her, but make it in final and say goodbye seems like it would be difficult but if she do it will be remembered as a beautiful farewell.

First round of Wimbledon will start in about 5-6 hours from now, my time.

I'm excited because we will have another very tough grand slams and of course our chance to bet and win again. Hurkacz vs Fokina might be a good one in this first round.

Wanted to place a bet on this match but seeing h2h the two have never met on grass so have no clue how this match will turn out, Hurkacz has a better history here as a semifinalist last year.

[Trofo]

Just checked the markets for first day and there isn't many value bets for me. Here are a couple that stand out and I will include them in some form on all my tickets.

Monteiro to win @1.65, he comes after solid performances and a win against Humbert, while Munar never won a match on grass

Van Rijtoven to win 3:0 @1.8, Delbonis is terrible on grass and this one should be very easy.

Haddad Maia to win, cover handi, or 2:0 in sets. Can't make my mind which market to take but she should win without much problems.

Be careful about Alcaraz, I am thinking he wil lose against first solid opponent and and Struff from couple of years ago would be good enough for sure. Today I am not so sure so skipping this one.

[Joca97]

First round of Wimbledon will start in about 5-6 hours from now, my time.

I'm excited because we will have another very tough grand slams and of course our chance to bet and win again. Hurkacz vs Fokina might be a good one in this first round.

Djokovic vs Kwon and then Alcaraz vs Struff, Sinner and Wawrinka as well. Time to put some parlays for higher odds.

Djokovic vs Kwon will be probobly an easiest match of the tournament for Djokovic. I played under 27.5 games because i think it will be too fast .
Also Alcaraz is playing against Struff that is really good on grass and with his serve and volley he might even surprise Alcaraz in this round

[vennali]

First round of Wimbledon will start in about 5-6 hours from now, my time.

I'm excited because we will have another very tough grand slams and of course our chance to bet and win again. Hurkacz vs Fokina might be a good one in this first round.

Djokovic vs Kwon and then Alcaraz vs Struff, Sinner and Wawrinka as well. Time to put some parlays for higher odds.

Djokovic vs Kwon will be probobly an easiest match of the tournament for Djokovic. I played under 27.5 games because i think it will be too fast .
Also Alcaraz is playing against Struff that is really good on grass and with his serve and volley he might even surprise Alcaraz in this round

Agreed with Struff match. He is a dark horse who's really good with his serves and could easily cause an upset. Could actually go for that match to go over 3.5 sets. Wawrinka vs Sinner is scheduled today as well. Another interesting 1st round match. Sinner might have the edge with match practice and fitness but you can never rule Stan the man out.

[bitbollo]

First round of Wimbledon will start in about 5-6 hours from now, my time.

I'm excited because we will have another very tough grand slams and of course our chance to bet and win again. Hurkacz vs Fokina might be a good one in this first round.

Djokovic vs Kwon and then Alcaraz vs Struff, Sinner and Wawrinka as well. Time to put some parlays for higher odds.

there are a lot of interesting matches even if we are in the first round.
Some quite "simple" at least on paper, but in my opinion they are not worth the risk of a bet ... No one has indicated the match of Tiafoe vs Vavassori just as example

Every year I look closely at Rosol's performance. In 2012 he disintegrated Nadal ... and he always considered an underdog but he has one of the most powerful first service of the whole tournament

[aoluain]

Just checked the markets for first day and there isn't many value bets for me. Here are a couple that stand out and I will include them in some form on all my tickets.

Monteiro to win @1.65, he comes after solid performances and a win against Humbert, while Munar never won a match on grass

Van Rijtoven to win 3:0 @1.8, Delbonis is terrible on grass and this one should be very easy.

Haddad Maia to win, cover handi, or 2:0 in sets. Can't make my mind which market to take but she should win without much problems.

Be careful about Alcaraz, I am thinking he wil lose against first solid opponent and and Struff from couple of years ago would be good enough for sure. Today I am not so sure so skipping this one.

Yea I was going to go with an Alcaraz bet but aside from the threat of Struff the odds
arent great. I have definitely gone with Haddad Maia, she looks very strong on grass,
its a no-brainer really.

I have also gone with Murray to beat Duckworth and Norrie to beat Andujar, He is one
set up 6-0 so far.

[casperBGD]

not that smooth, but Norrie is close to straight sets in first round, played well
Djokovic lost his serve in both first two sets, but eventually will win straight sets, as it now seems
did not know that Verdasco is back in action on Wimbledon, but he is already on a way home (could not be easier way to get 35k EUR, or what is now reward for starting Wimbledon in main draw)

[Cnut237]

Djokovic lost his serve in both first two sets, but eventually will win straight sets, as it now seems

No, Djokovic has just lost the second set. He's looking a bit shaky. Nevertheless, he does often lose a set or even two, but win anyway. Even at one set all it would be a big shock to see him lose this match. Even if he goes 2-1 down in sets, you'd still expect to see him win it in five.

Having said all that, there are a few signs in the second set stats that Djokovic is some way below his best. 0 aces. 58% of first serves in. Forehand unforced errors is quite high, too, at 7.

[vennali]

What an unbelievable effort by Hubi Hurkacz. He was down 0-2 sets to Davidovic Fokina and Fokina serving for the match, up 5-4 in the 3rd set and 40-0 up..but still somehow Hurkacz broke back and won the set and the 4th. Unluckily lost in the 5th set tie breaker but a commendable effort from Hubi. You should never take it easy until the match is actually over. Fokina learnt it the hard way today.