Love, Balls and Courting: Tennis V

[Fiero425]

Recorded the last two sets because I couldn't watch it live. I'll watch it this evening.

I haven't been into women's tennis in years unfortunately! I like a consistent & reliable player at the top of the ranks which have been in flux since the days of Serena Williams! Each time an heir apparent seemed to take charge, they'd fall back or retire! It's already happened enough times w/ the likes of Osaka, Barty, now w/ Swiatek! ?

 

[sk9tingfan]

I haven't been into women's tennis in years unfortunately! I like a consistent & reliable player at the top of the ranks which have been in flux since the days of Serena Williams! Each time an heir apparent seemed to take charge, they'd fall back or retire! It's already happened enough times w/ the likes of Osaka, Barty, now w/ Swiatek! ?

An interesting discussion as to why Swiatek might have faltered...

French Open 2025: Iga Swiatek's title defence always felt under threat from Aryna Sabalenka- but Queen of Clay will be 'back and better'

Iga Swiatek's French Open title defence always felt under threat from Aryna Sabalenka - but there are positives for the Pole.

www.bbc.com

 

[peibeck]

Happy for Coco, although I do like Sabalenka too. Also loved how Coco let the ball girls and boys hold the championship ? trophy after the ceremony!

Rooting for Carlos, but Jannick has the momentum on his side. The only challenge Sinner has had this whole tournament was a decent battle with Novak. He spanked everyone else.

 

[skategal]

Anyone else watching the men’s final?

Erh Me Gherd…

What a match.

 

[peibeck]

What a crazy 5th set!!! CARLOS!!!

 

[skategal]

Ahhhhhhhhh Alcaraz!!!!

Second longest GS final match in the Open era.

EPIC match. Unreal.

 

[skatingguy]

A match for the ages.

 

[caseyedwards]

That was a real match and a half! New era

 

[Fiero425]

That was a real match and a half! New era

Congrats to the heir apparent, Carlito Alcaraz defending his French Open title over #1 Sinner! It was a classic! ?

 

[sk9tingfan]

Congrats to the heir apparent, Carlito Alcaraz defending his French Open title over #1 Sinner! It was a classic! ?

Lost all cable, phone and internet service jusT in time to not see this classic match I'll watch the match highlights.

 

[Fiero425]

Lost all cable, phone and internet service jusy in time to not see this classic match I'll watch the match highlights.

It was about 5 1/2 hours, 5 sets, ending in the 1st Super TB in the final set in Paris! ?

 

[elka_sk8]

So happy for Coco and Carlos!

 

[vgerdes]

Carlos and Jannik played the equivalent of two matches yesterday. Talk about epic. This one is probably going to make it onto most lists of the top 10 best sporting events of 2025. Maybe even the top 5.

 

[Rob]

That was unbelievable. What a great rivalry!

 

[vgerdes]

That was unbelievable. What a great rivalry!

So far, Carlos has been dominant. He leads their head-to-head 8-4, and has won the last five straight. But I expect Jannik to find a way to beat him, very soon. He was so, so close.

 

[Fiero425]

The heart of grass season is in progress! This week the top players get a feel of the lawns to play the game in Halle & Queens! Sincaraz had little trouble in 1st round matches; Sinner in Germany & Alcaraz closer to Wimbledon at Queens! ??

 

[caseyedwards]

Unfortunately after Fritz wins tournament he loses in first round of next

 

[Fiero425]

Unfortunately after Fritz wins tournament he loses in first round of next

It's become the norm; even w/ the top players! If they even make the Semi's, they're almost guaranteed to WD from the next event, lose in an early round, or reitre midmatch! The game has gotten so physically demanding, the speed & exersion is just too much for today's players! Back in my day, you could be older or have a beer belly, but still be ensconced in the top 20!

 

[Wesonn]

oh tennis love it too

 

[Fiero425]

oh tennis love it too

Almost an end of an era w/ Djokovic, the last of the Big 3 to compete at Wimbledon next week! He's been in the last 6 finals, losing the last 2 to Carlos Alcaraz! Sinner lost early at Halle, but is still favored just behind Carlos at SW 19!

 

[sk9tingfan]

I've been perusing the Wimbledon draws and out of curiosity, have been counting the number of Americans both on the men's and women's side. Fifteen and seventeen respectively; quite a large number out of a total of 128 first round competitors! This is very encouraging for American tennis.

 

[Fiero425]

I've been perusing the Wimbledon draws and out of curiosity, have been counting the number of Americans both on the men's and women's side. Fifteen and seventeen respectively; quite a large number out of a total of 128 first round competitors! This is very encouraging for American tennis.

Djokovic has the draw from #ell w/ dangerous floaters, then potentially facing Draper, Sinner, & Alcaraz in route to the final!

 

[skatingguy]

I've been perusing the Wimbledon draws and out of curiosity, have been counting the number of Americans both on the men's and women's side. Fifteen and seventeen respectively; quite a large number out of a total of 128 first round competitors! This is very encouraging for American tennis.

That sounds about average for the Americans in the past couple decades - probably average around 15 players in each the men's & women's draws at each of the Grand Slams. A few more at the US Open for obvious reasons.

In comparison in 1980 the Wimbledon draws featured:
Men: 47
Women: 51

 

[peibeck]

What a kind of wacky first day of Wimbledon. Lot of men, even seeded, needing 4-5 sets already, and Medvedev out in the first round again (!). Rune too. Fritz has to play a 5th set tomorrow (although he got a play just out of the top 32) in the first round.

Ladies had some matches too including Keys and Paolini.

 

[skatingguy]

What a kind of wacky first day of Wimbledon. Lot of men, even seeded, needing 4-5 sets already, and Medvedev out in the first round again (!). Rune too. Fritz has to play a 5th set tomorrow (although he got a play just out of the top 32) in the first round.

Ladies had some matches too including Keys and Paolini.

This is how Wimbledon Day 1 went:

https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/1lo96nu/madison_keys_trying_out_a_new_serve_at_2025

 

[BaileyCatts]

What's with all the stories about Emma R.'s 'disrespectful' outfit because the only pictures I am seeing, she's wearing white? Not watching on TV so maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Tesla]

What's with all the stories about Emma R.'s 'disrespectful' outfit because the only pictures I am seeing, she's wearing white? Not watching on TV so maybe I'm missing something.

After a quick Google search, apparently she dared to wear a pink outfit for practice. Jesus, the strict dress code for Wimbledon is ridiculous.

 

[skatingguy]

What's with all the stories about Emma R.'s 'disrespectful' outfit because the only pictures I am seeing, she's wearing white? Not watching on TV so maybe I'm missing something.

After a quick Google search, apparently she dared to wear a pink outfit for practice. Jesus, the strict dress code for Wimbledon is ridiculous.

I think it's important to note that this even happened in March when Raducanu was practicing at the All England Club. Whether people were really angry about it I would guess probably not as this sort of thing happens all the time where players have been asked to change their outfit because of too much visible colour on the Wimbledon practice courts.

 

[vgerdes]

Zverev crashed out today, as did Coco Gauff. Lots of seeds falling in the first round, though Fritz prevailed in 5 after the overnight delay. Some of the upsets may be due to the record heat.

 

[peibeck]

Zverev crashed out today, as did Coco Gauff. Lots of seeds falling in the first round, though Fritz prevailed in 5 after the overnight delay. Some of the upsets may be due to the record heat.

Pegula (#3 seed) and Zheng (#5) out in the ladies today too.

Zverev the 3rd seed, big Canadian server Shapovalov (#27), hottie Musetti (#7), Humbert (#18), Bublik (#28), Michelson (#30) out in the first round of the men too.

You'd think tennis players are accustomed to the heat. I can't imagine it's hotter in Wimbledon than it gets in Melbourne for the Australian Open.