Australian Tennis Open 2022

[Stavros]

This is not a joke. As Nadal said, all Djokovic had to do was be vaccinated. I understand certain Australians have not handled this well, that we don’t have a clear statement explaining what an Exemption is, and that if Djokovic has personal, medical reasons for not being vaccinated, it would help his cause if he was more honest about it.

If he doesn’t play, does this make Alexander Zverev the favourite? Given my pathetic predictions last year, I am going to refrain from them this year, but welcome other thoughts- esp the potential for an Osaka-Raducanu showdown.

[filghy2]

I know this guy is an idiot, but the process that led to him being refused entry has been very poorly handled. We've been told that he was given an exemption to play by the State government and Tennis Australia after a blind assessment by medical panel, but there has been no explanation as to why the Federal authorities made a different assessment. It's also unclear why the Feds waited until he arrived before acting, even though they knew about the exemption and had previously issued a visa for him.

[broncofan]

I think Medvedev was the favorite last time I checked. Zverev definitely has a shot and so does Nadal though maybe not as good. Actually I'd love to see Nadal pull it off.

I didn't follow how the decision was made but I was very happy with the conclusion. Novak has always been a bit of a shmuck but I used to enjoy watching him play and liked him. I've gotten very bad vibes from his whole crew recently. Whatever. It's a pandemic and he wants to screw around.

He had a very good shot in Australia bc I thought he looked very fatigued in the finals of the U.S. Open at the end of a long, great season for him and the rest has probably done him well. He has no-one to blame but himself.

[broncofan]

esp the potential for an Osaka-Raducanu showdown.
The U.S. Open was the first time I watched Raducanu play. I was obviously impressed and am looking forward to seeing what she does. I have no predictions unfortunately. I haven't been watching enough to get a feel for the entire field.

[Stavros]

The medical grounds for exemption are-

Cardiac illness or an acute medical condition;
A mental health condition puts their vaccination at risk;
Potentially fatal or serious reaction to the first vaccine dose;

but as Ros Atkinson shows, if Djokovic has recovered from Covid in the last 6 months he can defer a vaccination is free to enter Australia….see here

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-australia-59888675

[filghy2]

but as Ros Atkinson shows, if Djokovic has recovered from Covid in the last 6 months he can defer a vaccination is free to enter Australia….see here

Reports indicate this was the basis on which the exemption was claimed, which suggests the Federal authorities judged that the supporting documentation was insufficient even though Tennis Australia's medical panel had found it acceptable.

There definitely seems to be a whiff of politics about this. Only a day or so before he flew in the PM was saying that it was a matter for the state government. It has also been reported that other players claiming an exemption on the same basis have been allowed in already. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-07/live-novak-djokovic-immigration-detention-australian-open/100743442

Even schmucks deserve due process. I guess we will know more after the Federal Court hearing on Monday

[broncofan]

Even schmucks deserve due process.
You're right.

As I'm sure you guys know last season Novak nearly won all four. I was rooting for him against Medvedev in the finals at the US Open. Medvedev played great, hits the ball really cleanly, serves big, and moves very well for a big man. Still I thought Novak was sluggish from all of the tennis he played, particularly the previous match against Zverev which went five sets.

This really does screw up what would likely be a very productive season for him. Still the next generation has some great players and I'm interested to see both Zverev and Medvedev. Thiem has been out with a wrist injury which I hope he overcomes....the guy has got such a great game.

[Stavros]

It appears that Tennis Australia has one policy, the Ministry of Health another, but Tennis Australia claims its policy on vaccinations is based on MoH guidelines, so someone needs to reconcile these contradictions, and Djokovic may be due an apology. The hysteria in Serbia via his father is a lamentable if typical example of the victim mentality Serbs often wallow in, as if they had no record to apologise for. One hopes this little drama will pass, and someone make an adult decision.

[Stavros]

So, he is free…to play or not to play? I guess it depends on who is in charge. And who might that be?

[filghy2]

Evidently the judge agreed that the process was not appropriate, but the Feds still seem to be claiming that they have the right to cancel his visa regardless. I don't know how that works, but I don't think it would be a good look.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-10/novak-djokovic-australian-deportation-court-hearing-melbourne/100747256

[filghy2]

Although the Joker has won the first set, the game might not be over yet. There are questions about him attending social functions maskless after he tested positive last month. Also, he may not have answered truthfully questions about recent travel on his visa application, which would be grounds to cancel it again if the government chose.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-12/novak-djokovic-in-australian-open-visa-limbo/100750800

[Stavros]

And in addition, 'facts' keep changing. 'Sorry I ticked the wrong box' 'Sorry I got the dates mixed up' 'Blame my agent'...

I wonder what would happen if the players refused to play when drawn against him? What about the health safety of the changing rooms? The man isn't doing anyone any favours, so why should he get so many?

[filghy2]

Assuming they got the process right this time, the Joker is not going to have the last laugh.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-14/novak-djokovic-visa-cancellation-decision-immigration-minister/100748386

[Stavros]

His position looks increasingly untenable. Whether or not the Serbian Government will prosecute him is another matter. But is he so self-obsessed to carry on regardless? The number of grand slams he wins doesn't really make him the greatest player of all time, in a sport where the quality of the play is as relevant as the number of wins. The sad fact of the matter is that Djokovic is not loved in the way Federer is, and he does himself no favours with his attitude, though I understand he is an amiable sort of man in private.

[broncofan]

The number of grand slams he wins doesn't really make him the greatest player of all time, in a sport where the quality of the play is as relevant as the number of wins.
I agree. When Agassi won the French in 1999 it mattered a lot more to his legacy than if he won elsewhere because it gave him a victory at each major (McEnroe, Lendl, Sampras, and Borg did not accomplish that). Since Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic have all won at each Grand Slam it is not a very useful tiebreaker. Djokovic did finally beat Nadal at the French which might be significant (Federer beat Soderling when he won his lone French Open) and it would have been significant imo if he had beaten Medvedev at the US Open to have won all four in a calendar year.

I think between the three guys who have won twenty, one or two slams is probably not going to determine who is the greatest. I think Novak probably has the fewest weaknesses and is the most all court, whereas Federer is by far the best shot-maker and is capable of hitting winners from anywhere on court and making it look as graceful as anyone ever has. Finally, I think Nadal is the most mentally tough of the three and probably the physically fittest when he's at his peak. My favorite is Federer because when he is on his game it is almost magical. If there's a way tennis "should be played" it's like that.

[Stavros]

At least now we can move on and focus on the game. My predictions are usually dire, but I will go for Zverev in the men's side, and Barty on the other, even though I don't think much of her game. I will be interested to see how far Andy Murray gets.
Raducanu? Osaka? But let's not forget Leyla Fernandez is an emerging player too.

[broncofan]

At least now we can move on and focus on the game. My predictions are usually dire, but I will go for Zverev in the men's side, and Barty on the other, even though I don't think much of her game. I will be interested to see how far Andy Murray gets.
Raducanu? Osaka? But let's not forget Leyla Fernandez is an emerging player too.
Once again an Australian Open whizzing by and I haven't been watching. I saw that Zverev lost to Shapovalov, who I know has a great game, but maybe isn't so consistent from one match to the next. Nadal will be playing Shapovalov in the quarters which should be a lot of fun to watch. Two lefties. I am pulling for Nadal.

Medvedev is still in it and will probably be tough to beat if he stays in form.

On the women's side Osaka, Fernandez, and Raducanu are out. Other than the US Open where I watched all of Leylah Fernandez' matches I have followed women's tennis even less diligently than the men. I enjoyed watching both Raducanu and Fernandez but in retrospect although they are excellent players, there may be a period before they can sustain the form they had at the US Open.

[broncofan]

I woke up this morning thinking I could get the Medvedev scores because I wasn't going to stay up until 3:30 am to watch. Turns out Medvedev is up a break in the fifth set against Auger-Aliassi after dropping the first two. Looks like he'll pull it out.

With all of the tennis Medvedev and Nadal played in their last two days, particularly with the high temperatures on court for Nadal's match at least, I wonder how they'll hold up. Tsitsipas recovered well from his five setter against Fritz and beat Sinner in straight sets so you never know. But the final four on the men's side should be fun.

Incidentally, the Nadal Shavopalov five setter was also on late so I didn't catch Shapovalov's histrionics but I saw clips. Nadal is such a gentleman it's unbelievable. Really hard guy to root against. Vamos Rafa!

[filghy2]

Great comeback by Medvedev. The final four have all played long matches recently so I'm not sure it will make a big difference. There have been so many late finishes that I haven't got to see the end of games either.

Mainly I'm hoping Ash Barty can be the first Australian singles winner since 1978. We are in the doubles as well, but I have mixed feelings about those guys, who seem to be stuck permanently in the mentality of teenagers. That's why Kyrgios has never realised his potential and probably never will: lack of maturity and self-discipline.

[filghy2]

I see the mens' doubles final is between two Australian pairs, so that one at least is guaranteed

[broncofan]

Great comeback by Medvedev. The final four have all played long matches recently so I'm not sure it will make a big difference. There have been so many late finishes that I haven't got to see the end of games either.

Mainly I'm hoping Ash Barty can be the first Australian singles winner since 1978. We are in the doubles as well, but I have mixed feelings about those guys, who seem to be stuck permanently in the mentality of teenagers. That's why Kyrgios has never realised his potential and probably never will: lack of maturity and self-discipline.


Mainly I'm hoping Ash Barty can be the first Australian singles winner since 1978. We are in the doubles as well, but I have mixed feelings about those guys, who seem to be stuck permanently in the mentality of teenagers. That's why Kyrgios has never realised his potential and probably never will: lack of maturity and self-discipline.
I hope Barty wins. That's an exciting story. As for Kyrgios he definitely has the talent. There are some players who are able to produce great tennis while being temperamental, but most are not at their best if they can't control their emotions. I fear that might end up being the case with Shapovalov, who has unreal talent as well.

Occasionally you see someone who loses it frequently and still wins the matches he has meltdowns in. Medvedev is looking a bit like that guy and McEnroe was that guy. Medvedev says and does some harebrained things while winning matches.

I think Medvedev wins the men's singles, but I'm hoping Nadal does.

[broncofan]

In fact, I just watched a clip of Medvedev having a complete blow up against Tsitsipas three years ago and still winning the match. They're playing in the semis so should be a fun one.

[broncofan]

The men's final is going to be Medvedev and Nadal. Against Tsitsipas, Medvedev was yelling at the umpire about coaching in the most obnoxious way. I respect that he can steady himself and still play well after behaving like an ass but it's kind of irritating and smacks of gamesmanship.

After Medvedev won the US Open Tsitsipas said he is playing great tennis but has a one-dimensional game. He serves big, hits hard, flat groundstrokes and despite being 6'6 can move really well laterally. His game isn't the prettiest and neither is his behavior but he's formidable.

We'll see what Rafa can do. The head to head is 3 to 1 Rafa. Medvedev's only win is on indoor hard which usually plays much faster than the courts in Australia so it favored Medvedev. I still think Medvedev is in the best form and will find a way to win.

[filghy2]

I don't understand why tennis has this rule against coaching during the game. Does any other sport do that? I can't see that allowing it would make much of a difference, especially as both sides could do it. It just seems to be a rule that creates far more trouble than it is worth.

[Stavros]

I don't understand why tennis has this rule against coaching during the game. Does any other sport do that? I can't see that allowing it would make much of a difference, especially as both sides could do it. It just seems to be a rule that creates far more trouble than it is worth.

A fair point, for at the highest level a player must know what's going on. Maybe with less experienced player a coach can tell his player to serve in a particular way, improve their backhand, go to the net/not go to the net, and so on. Maybe it is not done because it would slow down the game?

I think Nadal might just have the edge over Medvedev, which probably means the reverse will happen! Barty is one of the least impressive players I have seen in the women's game, but it is good to see that one player is not dominating every slam.

[broncofan]

I don't understand why tennis has this rule against coaching during the game. Does any other sport do that? I can't see that allowing it would make much of a difference, especially as both sides could do it. It just seems to be a rule that creates far more trouble than it is worth.
I think a lot of people agree with you. I always liked the fact that the player is out there alone and has to figure out how to win without any input. Technical advice would not be a huge factor at this level but little tips about where to stand on the return or where to hit the serve could matter. And definitely emotional support for some players matters a lot.

I recall that Jim Courier believes he won his first grand slam final against Agassi at the French because of the rain delay. Jose Higueras told him to stand further back on the return to get more balls in play and somehow that was a huge factor. Or maybe the rain delay just broke Agassi's rhythm.

[broncofan]

I think Nadal might just have the edge over Medvedev, which probably means the reverse will happen!
So hard to know but he has now come back from two sets to love to force a fifth set. Whatever happens he is one of the most remarkable competitors I've ever seen.

Daniil has called the fans who are jeering between his first and second serve "idiots". Should be a fun fifth set!

[broncofan]

Daniil has called the fans who are jeering between his first and second serve "idiots". Should be a fun fifth set!
Thought this here was a funny joke.
https://twitter.com/EvinPriest/status/1487721811949535232 (https://twitter.com/EvinPriest/status/1487721811949535232)

[Stavros]

So the edge, edged it. An amazing player. One wonders, if he is asked, and probably has been, who he thinks is the 'Greatest of All Time', but would hope he says, 'let's drop this daft question'. But yes, Nadal is one of the best players I have ever seen, and yet I wonder if even he now thinks he can carry on with that manic fitness regime. Who knows? At this level, he could play Paris and win it again. But Wimbledon?

And when are the younger players going to start winning more than a Grand Slam here and there?

[broncofan]

So the edge, edged it. An amazing player. One wonders, if he is asked, and probably has been, who he thinks is the 'Greatest of All Time', but would hope he says, 'let's drop this daft question'. But yes, Nadal is one of the best players I have ever seen, and yet I wonder if even he now thinks he can carry on with that manic fitness regime. Who knows? At this level, he could play Paris and win it again. But Wimbledon?

And when are the younger players going to start winning more than a Grand Slam here and there?
I think Medvedev played exactly like I thought he would. I simply can't believe Nadal was able to play and win that physical a match at 35 years old.

It's not like 35 is ancient, but Medvedev will be 35 in ten years and I doubt he'll be able to put in the kind of effort he gave today. It was a war of attrition won by the older man.

I'm mixed as to whether Rafa's workout regime is entirely necessary, and he has suffered a lot of injuries in his career, but maybe this kind of endurance is the product of all that work. So if he still loves doing the hard work then maybe he can keep that physique. Vamos!