2020 US Open Tennis

[+ WilliamM]

I can't say I'd throw Borna out of bed, but I'd really shell out the big $$$ for Novak Đoković. Borna's just OK-looking to me, nothing special. And, yes, no one needs to tell me, Novak doesn't need my $$$. It's just that when I'm comparing men, I like to put it into terms "How much would I pay for that?".

 

Did you watch Novak Djokovic's matches at the Open, or even Borna Coric's.

[+ FreshFluff]

[MEDIA=instagram]CE99VHKAPbp[/MEDIA]

[+ WilliamM]

The US Open Men's final is going to a fifth set. Great match now.

[+ WilliamM]

The US Open Men's final is going to a fifth set. Great match now.

Thiem serving for the match

[+ WilliamM]

Thiem wins in a tiebreaker.

 

Extraordinary

[BSR]

Once Novak shot himself in the foot, Domi became my favorite, even though I doubted he could handle the speedy courts. Apparently Ashe was playing a lot slower than the lightning-quick outer courts, which helped Dominic out some. Even more helpful was that as nervous as he was in the final, Zverev was dropping a 40-pound cow in his shorts.

 

First first-time Slam winner since Marin Cilic (US Open 2014), first male Slam winner born in the 1990s, and first Slam won by someone outside the Big 3 since the 2016 USO.

 

Domi's a great guy and works harder than just about any guy on tour. Congratulations, Dominic Thiem!

[+ WilliamM]

Once Novak shot himself in the foot, Domi became my favorite, even though I doubted he could handle the speedy courts. Apparently Ashe was playing a lot slower than the lightning-quick outer courts, which helped Dominic out some. Even more helpful was that as nervous as he was in the final, Zverev was dropping a 40-pound cow in his shorts.

 

First first-time Slam winner since Marin Cilic (US Open 2014), first male Slam winner born in the 1990s, and first Slam won by someone outside the Big 3 since the 2016 USO.

 

Domi's a great guy and works harder than just about any guy on tour. Congratulations, Dominic Thiem!

 

Terrific post!

[+ sniper]

That stat about this being the first Slam winner born in the 90s has me wondering what improvements have been made in anti-aging drugs that we don't know about. It simply defies logic that 3 men well into their 30s are so dominant. Same for Serena too, and Tom Brady, etc. There are a disproportionate share of "old" champions in sports these days.

[+ WilliamM]

That stat about this being the first Slam winner born in the 90s has me wondering what improvements have been made in anti-aging drugs that we don't know about. It simply defies logic that 3 men well into their 30s are so dominant. Same for Serena too, and Tom Brady, etc. There are a disproportionate share of "old" champions in sports these days.

 

It is not happening in Major league Baseball.

[BSR]

That stat about this being the first Slam winner born in the 90s has me wondering what improvements have been made in anti-aging drugs that we don't know about. It simply defies logic that 3 men well into their 30s are so dominant. Same for Serena too, and Tom Brady, etc. There are a disproportionate share of "old" champions in sports these days.

I don't know if older athletes are taking miracle anti-aging drugs, but I do know that top-ranked tennis players have a huge advantage over lower-ranked ones because they can afford to pay full-time teams of physiotherapists, physical trainers, nutritionists, etc.

 

When top-ranked doubles team Cabal & Farah hired a physio to travel with them full-time, they said they couldn't believe what a difference it made. At last year's US Open, Novak had a "recovery truck" waiting for him after his matches (for ice baths, icing down specific body parts, massages to get rid of lactic acid, specialized concoctions of foods & fluids, and God knows what else). How much do you think all that cost? And how many players outside of the very wealthy few can afford it?

 

Meanwhile, lower-ranked players can't even afford a full-time coach, forget the squadron of specialists that the top players employ.

[MscleLovr]

Meanwhile, lower-ranked players can't even afford a full-time coach,

 

I was at the US Open about 4 years ago when a coach for one of the leading players engaged in a lengthy conversation with me. I happened to touch on the unequal rewards for the male players and he remarked that a player outside the top 20 barely makes enough money to cover all the costs of being full-time on the circuit.

[+ sniper]

You get six figures for losing in the second round(which consists of the top 64 players) at each Slam. I think you need to go deeper than 20 on the mens before you get to people who are really struggling, but yeah they can't afford an entourage.

30th ranked man this year so far is making over $400k, and this year COVID destroyed the schedule.

[+ WilliamM]

I was at the US Open about 4 years ago when a coach for one of the leading players engaged in a lengthy conversation with me. I happened to touch on the unequal rewards for the male players and he remarked that a player outside the top 20 barely makes enough money to cover all the costs of being full-time on the circuit.

Now it would include long-time French player Richard Gasquet.

[MscleLovr]

I think you need to go deeper than 20 on the mens before you get to people who are really struggling

 

I disagree @sniper and I believe the coach who chatted to me. I think you’re not taking into account the very considerable costs (travel, lodging and food costs in major cities) attached to just being on the tour. The player’s home base has to be paid for and income taxes will be exacted. And alas, players who are low in the rankings will attract little in the way of sponsorship.

[BSR]

Sorry, I’m just skimming this thread looking for the pictures... ???

Christian Harrison's only previous claim to fame was being the kid brother of journeyman Ryan Harrison. He fell off the map for a long time because of 8 surgeries, but at the ripe old age of 26, he got a wild card into Delray Beach qualifying, won 2 Q matches to get in the main draw, and won 3 matches to get to the semis. Christian had won only 2 ATP-level matches prior to Delray Beach.

 

Click the link for a nice pic. Wow, I'd attend his matches just for the shirt changes.

[+ Charlie]

Christian Harrison's only previous claim to fame was being the kid brother of journeyman Ryan Harrison. He fell off the map for a long time because of 8 surgeries, but at the ripe old age of 26, he got a wild card into Delray Beach qualifying, won 2 Q matches to get in the main draw, and won 3 matches to get to the semis. Christian had won only 2 ATP-level matches prior to Delray Beach.

 

Click the link for a nice pic. Wow, I'd attend his matches just for the shirt changes.

I actually did attend one of his matches a few years ago. He's cuter than Ryan.

[+ sniper]

Christian Harrison's only previous claim to fame was being the kid brother of journeyman Ryan Harrison. He fell off the map for a long time because of 8 surgeries, but at the ripe old age of 26, he got a wild card into Delray Beach qualifying, won 2 Q matches to get in the main draw, and won 3 matches to get to the semis. Christian had won only 2 ATP-level matches prior to Delray Beach.

 

Click the link for a nice pic. Wow, I'd attend his matches just for the shirt changes.

The link requires you to set up an account. Googled him. He was jist fined $3,000 for refusing a post-match interview because he didn't want to wear a mask. So we know he's a fucking asshole.

[Becket]

My tennis crush has always been Stephan Edburg (sic). I loved every stroke of his. He aged so beautifully.

[BSR]

The link requires you to set up an account. Googled him. He was jist fined $3,000 for refusing a post-match interview because he didn't want to wear a mask. So we know he's a fucking asshole.

Hmm, always two sides to a story. I read that the officials said that they had to be a stickler with the rules but that if Christian appealed the fine, he would win & the fine would be rescinded. So he's guilty/not guilty at the same time??

 

In any case, I'm happy for the guy. The last I heard of him, he was a teenager who didn't have the size (5'11" is actually a bit small for a pro player) or power to make it on the ATP Tour. Eight surgeries later, he's back & makes it to the semi of a 250. Good for him for refusing to give up.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

My tennis crush has always been Stephan Edburg (sic). I loved every stroke of his. He aged so beautifully.

 

Back in the days when tennis shorts were truly short....

[MscleLovr]

I can tell you @Becket that Stefan Edberg is a very friendly and pleasant person. I have had breakfast next to him several times in NYC (I always have the same table and he was seated next to me). We chatted amiably about tennis the first time and he continued to chat the following days. He was then the coach for Roger Federer to whom he introduced me.