The Gays and Tennis part 53-summer 2020 coronavirus calamity

previous thread

no boobs out, but....

Congrats Novacc!

Nick Kyrgios rips Novak Djokovic after coronavirus diagnosis: ‘Don’t @ me’

Tennis has turned upside down. The world’s top player, Novak Djokovic, is setting back the sport. The ATP’s long-running headache, Nick Kyrgios, is the voice of responsibility.

Djokovic, who became the fourth player to test positive for COVID-19 — along with his wife — from the exhibition tournament he hosted in Serbia and Croatia, was quickly lambasted by the oft-criticized Australian. Kyrgios questioned why the Adria Tour took place, why players traveled from other countries for the event and why face masks and social distancing weren’t practiced at the matches.

Djokovic, the 17-time grand slam champion, created an even bigger target for himself when he was captured on video, dancing shirtless with several players from the event in a Belgrade club.

“Prayers up to all the players that have contracted Covid – 19,” Kyrgios tweeted. “Don’t @ me for anything I’ve done that has been ‘irresponsible’ or classified as ‘stupidity’ – this takes the cake.”

Kyrgios, who recently called the USTA “selfish” for not cancelling the U.S. Open despite the pandemic, described Djokovic’s exhibition matches as “boneheaded.”

The final of the Adria Tour, featuring Djokovic, was cancelled when Grigor Dimitrov tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Boneheaded decision to go ahead with the ‘exhibition’,” Kyrgios wrote. “Speedy recovery fellas, but that’s what happens when you disregard all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE.”

Novaxx Jocovid seems to be the favoured nickname.

When Kyrgios is the voice of reason, we're really in Bizarro-world.

Novaxx Jocovid !!! Best name ever!

Ban every player who was at that nightclub from playing on the tour when it resumes in August. Since they don't want to follow safety protocols and have acted irresponsibly and set the sport back.

The womens exhibition started today. Every single player was tested and is negative, as are the volunteers and behind the scenes people. They are practicing social distancing and even have separate areas to go after the matches. Will be interesting to see if their event goes off without a hitch.

He infected my Grigor, and my Borna?????? !!!!!!!!!!!!!

R9 = Jim Courier

R9 No Grigor infected Borna when they fucked. Then Grigor infected Novacc when they were playing basketball.

Novak fans claim that all the backlash has to do with haters, and even it's true that Novak has a good bunch of haters (due to the combination of his bratty young years and spoiling Fedal dreams again and again) in this case i think it has not really nothing (or at least not in a big part) with it.

First it was Nole proclaiming his antivaxxer views (which in the middle of a pandemy is at least dangerous) then being overly critic of the meassures the US Open wanted to implement and then doing this tournament without caring at all about common sense.

There are a lot of people suffering right now and his behaviour was irresponsible.

I tend to like Nole, unlike Federer and Nadal, he has a personality and he is not afraid to speak his mind but he was on the wrong side of history since the beginning of the pandemy and that has a prize

[quote] Novak has a good bunch of haters (due to the combination of his bratty young years and spoiling Fedal dreams again and again)

He has a good bunch of “haters” do to his behavior, bratty or otherwise, in recent years not just from his young years.

[quote] Novak has a good bunch of haters (due to the combination of his bratty young years and spoiling Fedal dreams again and again)

He has a good bunch of “haters” due to his behavior, bratty or otherwise, in recent years not just from his young years.

Novak's exho was a dumb idea, but he didn't force the other players to show up at gunpoint? I hope the USO is cancelled now. Tennis should chalk this year up as a wash.

I laugh at Novak exercising his ego before his brain. Because that's what got him into this predicament. I mean I hope he's okay, but I find his personality to be off-putting, always have.

Misery Murray is playing Broady at an exhibition match now. Murray looks surprisingly cute with facial hair.

Broady has quite a hairy chest.

Are you Peace Team or Kindness Team?

such tacky names R19

but I'm 'Team Kindness' because it has Puig!

Genie Bikini is on Team Peace, just like demure wallflower Danielle Rose Collins

LET'S FACE IT, THE ONLY REASON why the u.s. open is still going on is for publicity and the money (even without in person audience) that it brings the city... normally the u.s. open brings in MORE MONEY then all the other sports including the entire season of the yankees put together... it's HUGE MONUMENTAL for the city.. hence, it's all about the money, gosh knows it hasn't been about the true fan for decades that's for sure! slew hester would be rolling in his grave if he could see what the open has become and who it has catered to!...

I'd fuck Murray into Sunday. Still.

Why, R23?

[quote] such tacky names [R19]

From now on “Adria Tour” will be renamed “Peace and Kindness Tour”.

[quote]I'd fuck Murray into Sunday.

Kim Sears will cut a bitch

Is ESL back on this thread?

hoping the ladies' event goes well so they can show the men how to behave whenever tournament play does resume

Are there any players who were at the Adria Tour who have NOT tested positive?

Zverev and Thiem for two, I think, R29

Filip Krajinović and Dusan Lajovic were also there, but I haven't heard anything about them

Cilic hasn't tested positive yet either

Lajovic is hot.

Doesn't Djokovic have a mild form of asthma or something like that which increases chances of a bad reaction to coronavirus?

remember his first few years on tour when he kept retiring and had breathing issues or something?

Vekic also tested negative though she's having another test in a few days.

It's all those other people they'll have all come into contact with, including at a fucking nightclub, who might not necessarily have immediate access to testing that I feel sorry for.

R33.. yeah he is! absolutely gorgeous face.. and a nice bod too....male model like but NOT boyish like youngsters deemed "hot"...

Lajovic hugging Karen K.

Karen H., R37.

They're almost bumping uglies!

I've been Novak's biggest defender for 53 threads, but not today. I thought he was smarter, I wonder what his hero Tesla would say.

The USOPEN will be a shit show. Fed is out, Rafa won't attend something were he can't control his OCD, plus he'll want so save himself for Paris, if anything. Novak has to be 50/50 at this point. It's easy to imagine that none of them will win another GS.

Obey the laws and wear the gauze and protect your jaws from septic paws!- NYC Spanish Flu Advice 1918

[quote] I wonder what his hero Tesla would say.

He’d be shocked.

if a bunch of the top players aren't playing then I hope it's canceled

why cancel, this is a great chance for the lower ranked guys and gals! The prize will still be 1 million right? I think it's more...

Would the US even allow COVID positive athletes to enter the country? Are they still holding the Citi Open in DC? Will spectators attend that one?

Will Covid touch Roger's Cup?

Roger's Cup is cancelled.

Snipped or whipped, Mirka?

[quote] Roger's Cup is cancelled.

Is this an allowable topic on this thread?

wow this tennis thing is so big that it's even getting mainstream news coverage! Usually we're lucky if espn devotes a segment.

Coming up next on CNN, Patrick McEnroe will be talking to Don Lemon about Djokovic's disaster

There were 4,000 people at that Adria event. It's just insane they had the arrogance to go ahead with it, like they thought they were 'above' catching and spreading Covid.

Djokovic's half-apology was insulting. As if a virus is going to take best intentions into account. We know he lives in his own world and is possibly a bit stupid/has a screw loose but he and his peers have put thousands of people at risk.

Guess who keeps spreading the love? Djokovic has gone and infected the NBA as well. Jokic won't be able to enter the US for the time being. Were all the Balkan athletes at the event last week?

may I join you?

Novacc's father blames Grigor for the whole thing He said Grigor hurts Serbia and his family.

Everyone involved is a grown adult, so just blaming Novaxx, though fun, lets the rest off.

R53 Novak's father should just shut up.

Here the problem goes beyond who was the zero patient. Novak spreaded an antivaxxer message, then criticied the US Open and the preventive meassures, then they did the Adria tour without taking care of anything at all and Grigor (who is clearly a childish irresponsible) has nothing to do with that

R54 Djokovic organised and hosted the tournament under his delusion the virus wasn't a 'thing' in that region. He has a record of saying and doing stupid things and this one is potentially fatal for those involved. Yes, the other players are grown adults and can afford private jets etc but going to a nightclub and a stadium with 4000 people? They're all stupid but they wouldn't have been there if Djokovic hadn't organised it.

I think Novax name has been tarnished. For good or for a while? we will see. But, remember, that he was pretty much disliked already and this shit show might be the point of no return.

Novak is probably taking bleach bath right now...you know, like Chris Cumo's wife lol...

But being disliked only affect his ego (he obviously wants to be liked). He is able to defeat any rival even with all the crowd cheering his rival

Hopefully the corona will destroy his lungs.

And the problem is that you can catch the virus twice..... I can only imagine the ATP meetings today about the US Open.

Lajovic and Milojevic tested negative

R43, Djokovic and his family need to jump off a cliff. His dad is a horrible human being...they're never the problem. Ever!

R60 you deserve the most painful death for that stupid comment.

Dani Vallverdu defended Grigor on twitter. He seems to not be a fan of Novak's father

[quote] Novacc's father blames Grigor for the whole thing He said Grigor hurts Serbia and his family.

Why? How? He seems like an idiot.

R66 He is

Novax, in the public conscious, will forever have the cooties

So you're still defending Djocovid after all this, R64?

R64 HELL NO I'm not defending Novak. He's an idiot. The comment from R60 was uncalled for. R60 is also an idiot.

In Italy they are playing the National Championships this week. Last time they were played was 2004. Top seeds on male side are Sonego, Gaio, Fabbiano and Giustino. Female draw led by Paolini and Travis

Do we detect a little bit of homophobia in Novaxx Djokovid's words?

R72 Please explain, i can't read the article

Just the "he came here infected," that Grigor "spread the virus in Serbia" crap.

And now, even Novaxx's mother!!!! Can't that family keep it together? They are embarrassing.

LMFAO so Djokovic is now turning on 1 of his former bffs in an effort to save his own reputation

that's pretty low

sure DImitrov is a moron too but Djokovic is no better for not having precautions and going out clubbing

R74 Well that's nationalism and xenophobic but i can't see the homophobia

How has Margaret Court been coping with the pandemic? Has she been in isolation with her former lez lovers from the WTA, trying to cure them?

How has Margaret Court been coping with the pandemic? Has she been in isolation with her former lez lovers from the WTA, trying to cure them?

R77/R78, I think on one of the earlier threads she was quoted as saying something to the effect that her church was protected by Jesus.

Poor Margaret never was bright.

The entire Djokovic entourage is trailer trash

always cracked me up, the scene (on video at youtube) where federer playing novak tells novak's parents to shut up! since they were near the court talking loudly and i guess rudely and talking smack as well?...

[quote] The entire Djokovic entourage is trailer trash

Djeplorables

Puig!

Thiem regrets playing the Adria Tour

Meanwhile, Thiem's Manager puts the blame on Novaxx: “I have to blame Djokovic. Okay, the others took part, but he was very much behind it. Originally for honorable reasons, the charity idea was at the center. But it has gone in a completely wrong direction and has been abused as a publicity show. You have to blame Djokovic for that."

The Adria Tour clusterfuck continues. To be a fly on Djokovic's wall. He has to be fuming.

Thiem is regretting a lot of things lately

R86; Nobody will argue that Novak is one of the main guilty ones, but i'm pretty sure he didn't put a gun in Dom's head to force him to dance in a club full of people

I guess this is a new Nike kit C. Moutet is wearing?

Miss Mary Carillo: Athletes like Djokovic think 'science is just another opinion'

were they paid appearance fees to show up at the nightclub? Novak is so shady. I don't believe it was for "charity"

Even as a kid Djokovid came across as one of those kids from Children of the Damned/Corn, seeking his myrmidons.

this blame game thing is absurd

Obviously Djokovic is most at fault as he organized the event and it was centered around him. That said, ALL OF THE PLAYERS who went out to the night club and who played contact basketball are also at fault. Thiem trying to distance himself from it is a pathetic move. Djokovic of course looks worse having his father blame Dimitrov. I don't feel sorry for any of them

To be fair Thiem is one of the few that recognized his mistakes (but he should say people of his entourage to shut up).

They are not the only ones making exhibitions, Felix or Tsitsipas played too, but the security meassures where very different and the behaviour of the players too.

People blaming each other are ridiculous because the behaviour of the players (even without the disastrous organization of the tournament) was awful. The hugs (i doubt they like each other that much) and the party were prime examples of what you don't have to do.

But Nole's father is probably the one who started the blame game with his attack on Dimitrov (not a good idea to attack a player who seems to be liked by his peers) and now everybody seems to be doing it (not a good idea at all)

When did Felix play at an exhibition recently, R94?

If two boobs touch metaphorically is that a breach of social distancing?

Wow, Felix has grown to be a good looking man!

Thiem seems like such a pussy.

R95: You are right, i read that he was going to play and supposed he played the exhibition

R98: He dated Mldonna, you need to have some courage to do that

And Croatia sees its second worse day of COVID infections after getting the number of cases to zero.

So Djocovid literally restarted an epidemic. That won't look good on his GOAT resume.

Nole.

Why are none of you queens talking about ME, the Empress of Tennis? I am definitely winning the record-tying 24th at the US Open, baby. Which reminds me, did I mention I had a baby recently?

R101, Basically, he did...Grigor better keep his ass at home or the people of Monaco will kick him out.

Goran Ivanisevic has tested positive for COVID-19 as well

Domicakes

That ass is so juicy, it's leaking.

let's post some new Vasek "tripod" Pospisil photos....

Why “tripod”?

third leg, duh

Motor Mouth Tracy Austin is commentating that insipid WTA Charleston thing. She NEVER shuts the fuck up.

R110, is there any evidence Popsicle has a “tripod”?

R111... true about Austin,, i used to like her commentating but now it's non stop her talking... like she's STILL STILL trying to prove something to anyone and everyone who will listen and is watching..

I don't mind Austin, her analysis usually makes a lot of sense even if her voice is a bit whiny. I haven't heard her much this week anyway, it's mostly been Lindsay D and co. during the matches I watch.

It's a far cry from the nonsense in Belgrade and Croatia. I love the little device the ballkids are using, and every player having their own color-coded dot on their own balls. Everyone is wearing masks and it looks safe and competitive. A win for the WTA, for once lol.

As for the players:

THE GOOD: Kenin hasn't missed a beat. She is playing great, her game isn't flashy but it's so safe, the right amount of aggression and defence. Tomljanovic playing well too, and Jennifer Brady who was steadily improving after moving her base to Germany. Dolehide has improved. Leylah Fernandez might be top 50 by now if the tour had continued, she was on a roll in Mexico and is still playing great. Much as I can't stand her, Bethanie is playing well too. Bouchard is working with Rennae Stubbs and seems to be a lot more technically sound.

THE BAD: Puig!, Riske, and Azarenka are playing even poorer than you'd expect. Especially with how good Riske was playing last year. Anisimova too, her serve is so weak for her height. Emma Navarro (the organisers' daughter) as average as you'd expect, and Shelby Rogers still isn't showing the form we saw years ago. Sloth Stephens has put on even more weight. She can barely move and I can't see her losing it before the tour resumes.

Danielle Collins is somewhere in the middle. Keys as messy as usual (and she WON Charleston last year) but both these ladies will always be streaky it seems.

Is Naomi Osaka playing?

With Gramps's career almost over and Nole's uncertain health even if he does recover from Covid-19, the path has been cleared for Rafa to get the all-time record and extend it beyond anyone's reach.

vamos!

I will never bet against Rafa in Roland Garros, but in my opinion last year make very clear that if Thiem reach the final without that much effort (last year he had a very tough draw and had a rocky start) he can compete. During two sets the level was tight, then he failed a couple of shots and he simply run out of gas.

Outside Roland Garros i can't see Rafa dominating. He can win, of course, he usually does well at the US Open, but i think there won't be so easy from now on. Not for him, not for Nole either.

I would say that Roger's career is done, but the truth is he was playing l ike crap at the Australian Open and he was able to reach semifinals and even gave a scare to Nole. If he is able to recover well he'll be there in the final rounds

R118 Thanks for letting us all know.

Novaxx can't afford to lose any more weight...he will be the Darfur Orphan of the ATP

You can see their time coming to an end.

Federer's slam winning days look to be over. He was VERY lucky to limp to the AO semi final this year, on the backs of MASSIVE chokes from Tennys Sandgren and John Millman, both of whom had several match points against him. If he couldn't seal a 21st at Wimbledon last year when Djokovic was playing like absolute shit in that final (and Federer himself had several MPs), then it's just not likely to happen. The organisers at Wimbledon and the AO will pull every trick and favour in the book to help him and it's still not enough.

Nadal was still the favourite in Paris this year and he really got shafted more than the other 2 by this pandemic. He was likely going to tie the record 20 slams and potentially even rack up a few other titles on clay, adding to his legacy. Sure he might still win in September if it goes ahead, but the conditions will be completely different and there aren't as many clay warmups, plus people will put an asterisk next to that slam even if he does win it.

I can't stand Nole or his overly defensive game but I fully expect him to continue dominating and winning slams until he overtakes them both. I believe the stats show he is more vulnerable to others outside of the big 3 (than Fed/Nadal) but he remains undefeated this year and if healthy he's still the one to beat on every court in the world except for Rome and RG.

Thiem is good for giving them a proper scare (and he's really started owning Roger) but still doesn't seem to have the juice to get it over the line in a slam final yet. Sissypants has the game to get there eventually and he showed that at the YEC but probably after they retire. Medvedev played a great hard court swing last year but it's still a question if he has the staying power (sometimes Asian swing results can be inflated because so many players tank or don't play, same with the tournaments right before USO). Zverev is a laughing stock to them at the slams.

The questions with Thiem is to see if he is able to be regular. He has everything to win all the GS (probably except Wimbledon) but he needs to step up, win more easily the first rounds to reach the final rounds fresh. Once he breaks and win that big title there'll be more to come and he seems the type of player who goes better with the years.

I think Tsitsipas will be a thread soon too. I have doubts with Medvedev. Anyway, Medvedev and Zverev have a body type who will probably won't admit long careers (unless they gain some muscle)

Rafa and Nole will be contenders but not the only favourites in a near future. Anyway unless they have tough matches from fourth round, their experience will be a big factor in finals if they reach the final without playing long matches

Are we sure that we will see a US Open and RG?

Thiem often goes 4-5 sets in the earlier rounds and doesn't conserve his energy by the time he faces the big 3 at slams. If he gets more consistent he'll be ready to go. I don't care though as his personality is a turn-off. Shame as he has an awesome game (when not littering errors)

Medvedev is a pure scrapper and counter puncher. He was exhausted by the time he reached last year's USO final. He only selectively goes for winners but either can't or won't go for them earlier in points. That's not going to get it done at most slams

[quote]Sloth Stephens has put on even more weight

Yeah, she's got quite the gut. When she started working with coach Sven Groeneveld (which didn't last very long) she said the only rule she had was being allowed to eat whatever she wanted. Not very professional

Agreed, R120--Djokcovid looks only a couple of coughs away from crumbling into Skeletor dust.

R123: I think we'll see Roland Garros, France like other european countries are dealing quite well with coronavirus right now, probably there'll be more problems in a near future but i doubt it'll get out of control.

The USA on the other hand, sorry to say but you are doing really bad (not surprising when you have an idiot in chief who is encouraging people to do all the wrong things) so we'll see

novak posted a pic on his insta today with holding his kid. wtf? I hope it's an old picture....

Draw for Perugia (Italy) tournament starting tomorrow (with qualification)

It is open to foreign players with Andujar being the highlight

[1] Sonego vs [WC] Passaro

Balzerani vs Grigelis

[8] Arnaboldi vs Brancaccio

Vanni vs Fonio

[4] Giustino vs Qualifier

Vavassori vs Bortolotti

[5] Taberner vs Pellegrino

Ornago vs Rondoni

Musetti vs Bonadio

Qualifier vs [6] Moroni

[WC] Cobolli vs [WC] Gigante

Qualifier vs [3] Fabbiano

Crepaldi vs Forti

Bega vs [7] Galovic

Capecchi vs [WC] Nardi

Qualifier vs [2] Andujar

Musetti has a lovely game

Excellent posts R114 and R121.

Why Domicakes not wear white shorts?

I wouldn't set foot in the States until they get their corona act together. It wouldn't surprise me that will be the sentiment of many players too.

If Serena ties Court's record by winning a joke US Open with most of the other players missing how will the American cheerleaders like BJK try to defend it after having knocked Court's Australian Open wins as meaningless for years? Will Serena 's win be given extra woke points for coming soon after all the BLM protests?

That won't be a problem, half of Margaret Court's Australian Open were more an australian championship than anything else (and some of them even without Evonne Goolagong)

Margaret Court's slams are an actual piece of comedy. In one AO she literally won only four matches for a GS title.... she got a walkover in the final and a BYE in the first round. Players she was beating often had full time jobs outside of tennis and weren't even professionals. She was literally annihilating PE teachers, college students and postal workers in the early rounds.

Nobody played the AO in those days. For fucks sake, Chris O'Neill won in 1978 despite never even reaching another career final at any level. She has a 19–52 win/loss record and a career high ranking of #80. Yet still a 'grand slam champion.' It was a joke until the mid to late 90s.

Even FOUR TIME Australian Open champion Andre Agassi missed it 10 years (8 in a row) because it wasn't considered legit and he couldn't be bothered taking a flight. The prize money was low, the surface was constantly changing, it was even held twice one year in two different cities. The Sydney International tournament has been around longer (since the late 1800s) and was more prestigious and heavily attended until the late 1980s.

As much as everyone will asterisk the slams this year (assuming they're still played), to win it Serena will have to get through 7 women who all play full time on the tour, all over the world, year in and year out. Which will make it a more legitimate achievement than about 60% of Margaret Court's grand slam wins.

This year US Open is the slam opportunity of a lifetime for Eugenie 60uchard: how could you not pencil her into the final as seed #2?

R136... good post, although i think? you meant to state that the aussie open wasn't truly legit until the mid 80's and onward (not the 90's)... then again perhaps earlier because chrissie and martina did play it in the early 80's on grass at kooyong....

speaking of evert she only played the aussie i believe 6 times in her entire career! she also missed 3 french opens too... her grand slam total would actually be more like 21 at least....

so whether court or serena the context of grand slam singles totals as well as their importance in determining greatest of all time status needs to be put into context ...

Also, R136, on another DL thread here a couple of years ago, I went back and analyzed all the quality opponents who were in the draws during Court's years. You accurately stated it above, but what I recall is that as for numbers of match wins, even Evert and Navratilova sometimes had byes in the early rounds. I think it was Graf who was the first grand slam woman's champ to consistently win seven matches each slam.

Zverev was caught partying hard without social distance.

He is too stupid for his own good

[quote] He is too stupid for his own good

I iz smart!

Well, Shapo is not the brightest but at least he was able to pass the pandemic without making a fool of himself, others can't say the same

R124 Agree - Thiem has really fallen in my estimation as his true personality has come to light.

Actually the problem with Zverev is that he lied.

“I deeply apologize to anyone that I have put at risk...I will proceed to follow self-isolating guidelines...stay safe Folded hands.” And then he gets caught partying. No isolation, no social distance.... really, really stupid.

Surreal, that tennis players are held to a higher standard of behavior and respond more intelligently than our fucking President and 52 Senators.

Whore-moans.

It seems pretty clear that Flopos, like Djokcovid, will stay just as arrogant and megalomaniacal as he demonstrated here and so many other times. Unlikely that he'll ever reach the same level of tennis as Novaxx though. The contrition they've both expressed couldn't be faker.

Zverev is a typical airhead athlete

a lot of these people aren't well educated and probably don't follow the news

I'm not surprised that he went out again after the disastrous exhibition

It's time to face facts. No sensible person should be attending stadium sporting events until there is a vaccine and/or cure. Look at the data, staying home, wearing a mask works. Socializing, spreads it. Bars, restaurants and parties are the worst. Sports includes all three at once.

Cancel every unnecessary social event until next year. Maybe have Italy and Spain plan for a hi-tech, socially distant experience for the clay season.

The USTA/USOPEN is in denial. Every single sign points to a giant FAILURE that will cost lives. Covidiots

No one is going to watch tennis with no fans, especially with all the ugly players in hideous clothes. Maybe if they played in jockstraps and Bra/panties, they'd get an audience. Can you imagine C.H. Shriver reporting from her paneled (i'm guessing) rec. room? Flipping around to difference courts with no fans. Women's tennis without hot coaches is unwatchable for me. I'm Ova it.

[quote] I'm Ova it.

Which Ova?

R149, will P. H. Shriver be in her bra and panties too when she reports on those matches where a naked Serena shoves a fucking ball down the fucking ass of a naked Kenin Kardenne? Jesus, Lord, strike all of these sinners dead.

Again, Kyrgios shows he’s one of the few voices of reason in this COVID mess. Djokovic and Zverev have to be the most toxic players at the moment, and are sorely in need of a truly stratospheric PR firm, considering they have no conscience to speak of.

I love Kyrgios. I'd love to see him win a slam one day just for the on-court interview and post match press-conferences. He's talented enough to win one and interesting enough to be great for the game, if only he'd behave better on court.

This is the first time I’ve ever liked Kyrgios

Shapo has sexy blond haired legs.

The main thing holding Kyrgios back is that is just that he isn't that passionate about tennis, the sport he's really good at. He could sort out his temperament and his technical issues with application and good advice, but doesn't want to bother. It's not the end of the world, but it is a shame.

The issue with Kyrgios is probably mental health. He acknowledges he went through rough episodes of depression and you definitely cannot be passionate and depressed at the same time.

I absolutely love his game, the perfect combination of devastatingly powerful groundstrokes and deft touch. He has some of the best volleys in the game, his serve is like a bullet, and unlike others of his generation he can do more than just hit cross-court with topspin from the baseline (sorry to Borna who I love, but it's true). He also seems like the only hope of legitimately OUTPLAYING the Big 3 regularly in big tournaments, even when they are playing well themselves.

But I do find him cringeworthy. The lame 'inspirational' quotes he puts on his instagram, the 'I fuck so many chicks' bravado, the constant appropriation of black culture (from the basketball jerseys to the slang he uses), and the attention-seeking antics on court. It's a shame because he's often on the right side of social issues (Coronavirus, criticising Margaret Court, supporting female players) and does seem like a good guy underneath all the bullshit.

It might be mental health, who knows. He was a very overweight child of immigrant parents and might have some issues stemming from that. You can pretty much tell that he was never intending on becoming a professional tennis player. So the lack of work ethic is not a surprise.

I hope Kyrgios realizes that none of us have forgotten that he too is an enormous piece of shit

R157, part of his depression issues may well be that he's doing something he doesn't enjoy that much.

Yeah he's acknowledged he's had problems with mental health and his heart just isn't in the game. Tennis isn't his favourite sport and he feels kind of 'forced' into it as he's so good at it. He's earned so much already just playing half-hearted, why would he bother putting in more work?

It's a complete shame as he's obviously a good bloke - he remains popular among the other players. It'd be so good for the game to have a top player be as outspoken as he is. The Top Three are probably the best players to ever play the sport, but let's be honest, they're fucking boring.

Kyri-gross

Not sure I'd call Djocovid boring.

Nick is an attention whore. He acts like he doesn't care but public opinion mattes to him A LOT. He is probably enjoying the attention of people praising him for his corona response.

We are talking about someone who trashed his best friend (Melo doesn't know how to talk with women or book a hotel, he is totally useless and didn't won a single match in his whole life) on an interview and made his father cry on court.

In my opinion they treated him like he was the future prince of tennis and he didn't grow up.

I had a very bad reaction to Thiem's words about lower ranked players (basically because i thought he was a very nice guy) but at least he reacted fast this time and apologized for his behaviour (his opinion is basically what his country thinks about southern european countries and he changed those countries for lower ranked players).

Most tennis players really showed the worst of them during the pandemic. A lot of spanish players were trashed by their opinions (which were clearly far right). They seem to live in their own bubble where everybody thinks the same and do the same

Obvious great talent and mentally ill Kyrigos couldn't win 2 matches in a row without a stand full of fans.

It's the not giving a shit that makes his game LOOK brilliant. I think that any of the top players could appear just as talented if they went out on court with an I'm bored or "I don't give a shit" attitude, like Nick does sometimes. It's his instability that throws the top players off their games. Top players are used to disciplined opponents.

You play in a full arena and you don't even give a shit? So disgraceful, really. Now, excuse me: I have millions to count and a party to attend.

#ShitChrissieSays

R168 wow I needed that laugh

There's a video interview on the ATP Facebook page Popsicle did with gay former player Brian Vahaly about his time on the tour being closeted. It won't let me link to the video but here's the URL:

facebook.com/ATPTour/videos/743389056446674/

ok that didn't work lol, there shouldn't be any spaces in that link

For those of us with no Facebook, r170, can we have a brief rundown of the interview? TIA.

R130 I am watching Musetti's match live in Perugia....they play without crowd. Last week in the other Italian tournment held they allowed a limited crowd.

[quote]For those of us with no Facebook, [R170], can we have a brief rundown of the interview?

maybe this link works

And Corentin Moutet behaved badly on an exhibition.

He gives me Cantona vibes, they interview him and it's all sensibility and poetry but once he is on court he goes all mr Hyde

Kind of reminds you of Sir Murray and brat Andy.

Thanks, r174.

Musetti loses.

where is that woman's tournament being played with nearly a full house? shame on all involved!...

unless a tournament is held in Antarctica and outside, no country has any business holding any kind of tournament/exhibition whatever..

Quick bites:

- Former Wimbledon semi finalist Tsvetana Pironkova is apparently intending to make a return at the US Open.

- Fognini had surgery on both ankles and is in rehab at the moment.

- According to Czech tabloids, Petra Kvitova's coach is rumoured to be in a relationship with her after officially divorcing his wife.

- Venus is on a random game show on CBS with Keegan Michael Key hosting? This may be old news but I just found out about it lol, how random.

- Nicky is going at it with Boris Becker about the Zverev thing.

I love Venus's game show, more for the sexy Gronk guy. I'd never heard of him before. He's a hoot.

Why did CoCo Gauff not play the Charleston exho? Were her boorish parents/agents holding out for more money?

It seems Becker called Kyrgios rat (the president of the german federation did the same) for saying what's obvious about Zverev.

Zverev is not only irresponsible he is an hypocrit too, but it seems you can't touch the golden boy without upset some idiots on the german federation

Becker has always been an idiot.

A. Zverev

yes, I just saw the tweets between becker and nick.

Boris is a fucking idiot. Esp fucking that whore and in the Japanese restaurant...and all his stupid money woes...he should talk!

I agree with Nick...shocking! I don't like him at all, he has lots of mental problems but at least he's himself, he's real.

Link to the tweet conversation please.

R186 how fucking difficult is it to do a twitter search for Nick Kyrgios or Boris Becker, you fucking idiot?

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

TeamNick...I've always thought he was an ass but he has proven himself lately. He's also fun to watch when not being self destructive

you just know that when he makes a "mistake" next year...and you know he will...everyone's gonna come down on him hard.

R190: That won't change the fact that he is right here.

I think it's useful to remember that before being caught partying hard, Zverev said he was going to quarantine for 14 days after the Adria Tour debacle (after apologizing, of course).

Kyrgios is a jerk, but unlike others he is behaving during the pandemic

Thanks, R188.

I respect Nick for using his platform to make young people aware that this is serious. He has never struck me as someone who is afraid to call someone out. When you’re right, you’re right!

Also, he deserves sainthood for not typing YOU’RE in capitals. I cringed at Becker’s yours.

B. Zverev

C. Zverev

D. Zverev

Shapo celebrates Canada Day.

I remember that video where they question a bunch of players if a celebrity was canadian or american. He failed a lot

Shapo is cool AF!

Shapo is dumb as a rock

Can anyone explain the insanely baroque format for the Mouratoglou “tournament”? What are the “steal serve” and “triple point” cards? How does anyone know what’s happening on court??

Oh, and I’d also like to know if there’s anyone more beautiful than Berrettini playing on the ATP tour.

TIA.

R201 I first noticed Berrettini during his big run at the US Open and was immediately enamored with how good he looked. He has an ass that rivals Rafa.

It's curious that he has no massive following. He is handsome, his tennis is highly entertainning (even a lot of people think his level will low eventually) and he became a top player, but for some reason he is very far from the popularity of other youngsters even some who did way less than him

[quote] Shapo is dumb as a rock

Shapo be dumb.

R202... i hear you about berrettini at the open! even the commentators went on about his "female following" in the crowd and you know they wanted to say something about him every match wearing see thru when wet with water and sweat white shorts showing off his light blue bikini underwear!....

Forza!

He is absolutely gorgeous and I love the longer hair he's been growing out recently. Although I wish he would fix the neckbeard that sometimes appears.

Hopefully he has been working on that backhand during this time because it really is the glaring weakness in his game. As soon as someone starts to target it a bit, his whole game is thrown off.

Side note: He obviously has a very fit sexy body but does anyone find it kind of weirdly proportioned? His arms are VERY long and skinny, and his torso and frame itself is quite boxy and almost flat (not unlike Wawrinka's, but Matteo is taller). Not saying I would kick him out of bed, of course!

he looks cute. hair is too long.

R208... who wouldn't (man or woman) want to ride on that lap and hold on to that sexy thick head of hair as they do so!...

What about John Isner's tweet about "coronabros." That went well, John. Also, he is very much against BLM protests. We always knew he was a trumpster....

I doubt that he has a PR team, but they might be in heaven with such a client...

Berrittini needs to work on those skinny legs...he would be perfect

Fucking Isner. "Coronabros", what an idiot. The only thing more tiresome than his servebot game are his uninformed right wing talking points.

Where is Martina Hingis when you need her to throw a DVD player at someone's head? Maybe Capriati can assault him in a parking lot somewhere.

I think Isner and Capriati probably have the exact same opinions.

Brain damage from religion is more damaging than brain damage by drugs. But to be fair, she started out particularly stupid.

But she outdid herself when Trump “won” the EC;

Jennifer never was very bright

I couldn't stand Jenny from the block, though I felt sorry for her with that upbringing and all the pressure she faced. I was just reading the other day about her achievements though and was quite impressed at how much she accomplished at such a young age. People can talk about Gauff and even Hingis for their achievements in their youth (16 years old), but it was crazy that Capriati was knocking out top 10 players left and right at 13 years old, immediately upon debut.

She reached the finals of her first two pro events before even having a ranking (lost to Sabatini and Navratilova in the finals) and when she had the 3 tournaments necessary for a ranking, she debuted at #23. Two weeks later she made her first grand slam semi final at RG, losing to eventual champ Seles who was only 16 herself - truly the era of young prodigies. Backed it up with a Wimbledon second-week run (also losing to eventual champ, Graf), a US Open second week run (again lost to Graf), her first title, qualified for the YEC, and ended her first year on the tour ranked #8. And she was still basically a child.

She later showed her true colours, and I never could warm to her game with her questionable technique and annoying habit of questioning every line call. She did give us some good quotes though: who can forget "Can someone shut that fucking baby up?" during the 2001 Miami Open final when Venus saved EIGHT match points to defeat her, pissing off the conservative crowd who cheered for Capriati and booed Venus, a 2-time champ.

R218.. i remember that venus vs jennifer match, at the time and even now i think "how in the hell does someone lose 8 match points".. i mean it's almost theoretically impossible....

then again way back in 1971 16 year old chrissie saved 6 match points against Eisel at the open and would become THEE queen of comebacks in fact man or woman of her era and perhaps of all time...

During a rain delay at the French, a reporter asked each of the players if they knew who Roland Garros was. The only one who knew was Venus. Capriati responded, "short little dead dude", thinking Napoleon.

BTW, ww1 war hero, aviator.

Isner posted a photo a while back where he was meeting his hero...Hannity. Piece of garbage.

R221! wow, truly garbage central!...

I’m loving [italic]The Guardian[/italic]’s “The Greatest” series. Number three (linked below) is dedicated to Navratilova, with parts 1 and 2 on Evert and SWilliams, respectively.

Capriati and Isner are among the dullest dullards ever to blight the game, right down there with Court and Becker.

One thing I've learned ...aside from Andrea Petkovic...Tennis players are not too bright

I iz smart.

I went to Harvard y'all!

R225 Andrea is amazing and very funny. She reminded an anecdote of where she and Angelique Kerber were juniors and they went to Australia. A bird shitted on Angie and Andrea said to her that meaned she was going to be lucky and will win the Australian Open, Kerber get mad when she lost in the first round but Andrea was right in the long way

The French Tennis Federation announced that it intends to have spectators for the French Open in September/October. The plan is to have 50 to 60 percent of the regular attendance (20,000 or so for early rounds, 10,000 for finals), Any spectators moving around the site of Roland Garros stadium will be obliged to wear a mask

R228 is Angelique short for Mangelique?

Don't be mean to Angie, he is amazing (when she gets in the mood).

It's a pity Andrea wasn't a bigger star she has the charisma that most wta players lack

Equine Angie

I think Petko has a bright future after tennis..either as a writer or commentator. She speaks perfect English and lives in NY most of the time. She is a cool chick, her boyfriend is in a band, she hangs with a cool crowd.

Graf didn't win Wimbledon or the USO in 1990, the year of Cap's debut.

R234 I knew she didn't win the US Open, but thanks for the correction on Wimbledon. I see now that Graf beat Capriati but eventually fell to Zina Garrison in the SF.

R224 Capriati was anything but boring or dull throughout her career - phenom>burnout>champion. She also has been a part of two or three of the best women's matches I've ever seen. Not to mention she's had a handful of battles vs Serena Williams that no other player has ever put up against Serena with quality play on both sides. Her politics may suck and she may be dull in person I don't know. I don't know her. But entertaining she always was.

SO FAST??!!-------

Novak Djokovic, wife Jelena cleared of coronavirus after Adria Tour fiasco

Ten days after Novak Djokovic and his wife tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the two are now clear of it, his team announced on Thursday.

After hosting the exhibition Adria Tour in Serbia and Croatia that didn’t observe social distancing, the world’s top-ranked player received criticism for not taking the virus seriously enough. Others who took part in the event, like Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki, tested positive for the virus as well after video revealed a wild, tournament-organized party.

“Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena are negative for COVID-19. That was shown by the results of the PCR tests that both had in Belgrade,” his media team said in a statement. Djokovic and his wife, who didn’t have symptoms, remained in Serbia after the positive tests, staying in isolation. His coach, Goran Ivanisevic, also tested positive.

Djokovic, 33, was ripped by Nick Kyrgios over the tournament. Djokovic’s father Srdjan blamed Dimitrov for the coronavirus cluster at the tournament, accusing him of arriving sick.

my hyperbaric chamber and special diet helped Jelena and I defeat coronavirus faster than anyone ever!

Iz a hyperbaric like a bar that serves drinks fast to try to stop arrest by da police for serving underaged drinkers?

R236, I'm not referring to her game, which was very entertaining. I'm referring to her complete lack of intellect. And she could be obnoxious, as way back when she smirkingly referred to Navratilova over and over again as "the lej", slurring it to sound like "lez". Funny if you're mentally deficient or a right-wing displaced Valley Girl.

Andrea Jaeger's greedy father was the precursor for JenJen.

Jen and Justine "No tits" Henin had an epic night match at the USO one of the years that Justine won. They were both in the zone and cracking the cover off the ball. The match went 3 close sets IIRC and in a classic cunt-off, Justine pulled through.

R242 an outrageous choke by Capriati that she must still have nightmares about. She led 5-3 in the second set, 5-2 in the third, and was two points away from winning something like eleven times.

R243 AND henin (allegedly) was cramping too! .. guess clueless jen couldn't think to just prolong points and drop shot as well? 2 ideas that seemingly never crept into her head for ANY match in her career...

jen served for the match TWICE in that classic with seles in 91'

jen lost for THE VERY FIRST TIME EVER to dementieva in the semis at the open in 2004 when she could have reached her very first final, losing the first set 6-0! and then losing in a tiebreaker in the 3rd set...

she had perhaps the worst luck of any female player at the open...

R244 She didn't have bad luck. She made bad choices - we can all agree the wasn't the sharpest tool in the box.

To be fair she was the very lucky recipient of a few chokes as well.

In the 2002 AO final, Martina Hingis choked a huge set and 4-0 lead, squandering FOUR match points and eventually handing Capriati an extra slam on a silver plate despite largely outplaying her.

Along with burnout, the fact that the game had become more powerful thanks to the Williams sisters and she began to be hit off the court more often, and the fact that she wanted to do cocaine and party by this point, this match almost certainly contributed to Hingis' first retirement.

R246 true, Old Jen was lucky to bag her second slam as well. Clijsters was two points from winning that final I think four times.

off topic, but as i type this i'm watching on the tennis channel (friday, july 3rd at 12 noon central time zone) another exhibition "tournament" with sam querrey vs frances tiafoe! damn tiafoe's ass is a work of art! incredible bubble butt defying gravity and jutting out! to see THAT wet after a shower and strutting around in the locker room! whew lordy be! lol!....i wonder if the locker rooms get more crowded whenever ole francis is in there after a match!...

R248, but he’s black so it’s more commonplace. Which white guys have asses like Tiafoe’s?

perhaps the best "white" asses are i think nadal (okay hispanic) , wawrinka and thiem, but neither of the jutting defying gravity bubble butt of tiafoe... it certainly must be in the "genes"?..

I don't know how Tiafoe finds shorts big enough for his ass.

yeah it's no contest. Tiafoe best male ass on tour.

His ass is the 8th wonder of the tennis world.

I remember Venus (who loves to give us some hot dude content lol) did a YouTube episode about them playing mixed doubles at Wimbledon and it was mostly just low-angle shots of his ass in white shorts. May Jehovah bless her and her gay intern who filmed it.

Also this video below which has been one of the highlights of my quarantine so far:

As far as asses are concerned are you on:

Nadal team

Tiafoe team

Stan team or Wawrinka team

Thiem team

?

Coric has an OK ass.

Feliciano probably comes closest among the melatonin-challenged.

Melanin-challenged*

Frances Tiafoe now has Covid.

Too bad, R258. I hope he didn’t attend that Adria tournament.

R259, I don't think he did, but, of course, Covid roams freely.

Rafa!

Apparently 23 of the 50 players in the WTA Palermo entry list are from countries that won't be allowed to enter EU. In Prague WTA event it is 11 out of 39 players.

R262 But in this case it should be less their nationailty than the country they were living. If you are from the USA but you are living in Spain you should have no problem to go to the tournament

Open Court has heard the playback of the WTA’s meeting Friday with players and Tour officials, a weekly occurrence that generally remains under tight wraps.

And while a final decision on Palermo, Prague and D.C. needs to be made this week (in the case of Palermo, this weekend), the recent announcement from the European Union about the restrictions to entry for citizens of several countries has thrown a monkey wrench into the proceedings that rivals the omnipresent and ever-changing safety concerns.

“The (EU) announcement, combined with the continued growth of the virus, is clearly very troubling and challenging for us. It confirms the volatility we’re dealing with, and have to accept,” WTA Tour CEO Steve Simon said on the call.

Simon said on the call that if you look at the first 50 players on the Palermo entry list, fully 23 of the 50 could not play the tournament under the current EU conditions. That’s 48 per cent of the total.

In the case of Prague, 11 of the top 28 players entered – or 39 per cent – can’t play as things stand, with the EU list scheduled to be updated every 14 days.

It puts the WTA into a position where it may have to back down from its original position, which was that if all the players didn’t have equal opportunity, they would cancel the season.

“I think we have to recognize that the situation is changing and have to be open to constantly considering new ways of approaching it. The environment is changing so much around us,” said Vanessa Webb, the Canadian former Tour player recently re-elected to serve another term as the WTA Board member representing top-100 players.

“What we have on our Tour, we have players who want to play, and we have players who don’t want to play. We have players who can play, we have players who can’t play everywhere and a few players who can’t play anywhere, who can’t get out of their countries.”

So Tiafoe is the second player to test positive after admitting earlier that he didn't feel well but kept playing.

We're never going to get tennis back until players start taking it seriously.

Who was the first, R265?

R266 Dimitrov

Opelka pulled out, claiming a knee injury.

Kyle Edmund's coach has tested positive for Covid.

Corentin Moutet called stupid to Tsitsipas' father.

Moutet has a big mouth, but he accused Tsitsipas' father to talk everytime he had to serve and if that's true, he is right, the guy is a jerk

Have we had any word on how young Grigor is doing and whether he may need any additional support? Even for just a hug and a rub on the shoulder or someone to talk to. I feel so bad for him. He must feel so alone in isolation. And the bad thoughts that must be going through his head. I tell you if I knew where he was I'd risk the contact to just be of some guidance and service. I would be ok catching it cause I know I'd be doing it for the sport. And for the tour. If anyone should get any more information on his whereabouts I have lots of miles for flights. And if he's in Europe I have ways around our germaphobic ban. I'm still married though. And I have kids! Two of them.

Nole.

picturesque Domi in Kitzbühel

Watching the Mouratoglou exho in Paris and the Kitzbuehel "event" organized by Thiem I'm struck by how many visible safety measures were in place in Paris and how few seem to be in place in Kitzbuehel. In Paris the ballkids all had masks; in Kitzbuehel they don't. In Paris the chair ump was wearing a mask and gloves; not so in Kitzbuehel. In Paris most of the players' entourage on the sidelines were well distanced and most were wearing masks; in Kitzbuehel, the general public (what little there is of it) is maskless and bunched up into little groups. The overall effect is that there seems to be very little regard for safety at Thiem's event.

I think Thiem's a bit thick, and not just around the glutes.

Well, well, well.....It looks like Federer and Tony Godsick got PPP money. That is pathetic. They are all grifters.

Thiem lashed at Kyrgios for criticize the Adria Cup and Zverev. He said Zverev just had bad luck on being caught (the fact that he lied and didn't respect social distance is not a problem it seems). Since the pandemic started Thiem didn't stop to put his foot in his mouth.

By the way i just read that Ferrer will be Zverev's new coach, in my oppinion they are not a good match at all

R275, I think you should have done a bit more research (like maybe read the very next tweet after the one you quoted) which clarifies that, though they qualified for the loan, they “concluded that the need for funds was greater elsewhere in the country and returned the loan to the government, one week later, in full.” Don’t let your hatred of everything Federer get in the way of the truth.

Yes R275, sloppy and lazy at best

If Ferrer get get Zverev to be a bit more tenacious then maybe so...but I agree not a good match at all. I can't stand Zverev

R274 who is playing at those 2 events?

No one was more tenacious than Ferru. Not even Rafa.

R280, I don’t know the whole lineup, but I saw the Berrettini–Popyrin match at the Mouratoglou event (officially called The Ultimate Tennis Showdown if you want to look it up), and Struff–Rublev at the Kitzbuehel tourney. I assume Thiem is playing in his own event.

[quote]I assume Thiem is playing in his own event

Thiem played against Casper Ruud today

I think the A. Zverev -Ferrer coaching situation is only a 2 week trial

[quote] By the way i just read that Ferrer will be Zverev's new coach, in my oppinion they are not a good match at all

A. Zverev?

Domi only hangs out with dudes since he and Kiki broke up. Maybe she turned him gay.

R276 it's safe to say Thiem is a conservative. Seems quite spoiled and out of touch with "commoner problems"

then she'll be a DL Patron Saint

Pretty sure he's an FPO voter.

yes, they returned the money but the way it works is, when they got approved for the loan, other biz (who need the money more) were rejected. They should have never applied in the first place.

[quote]Pretty sure he's an FPO voter

with Sebastian Kurz

[quote]yes, they returned the money but the way it works is, when they got approved for the loan, other biz (who need the money more) were rejected.

Not really. As of July 1, there was still $130 BILLION left in the PPP fund.

What a bummer. Here I was thinking Thiem was a raging fucking homo

Nope, just a raging fucking douche--no wonder that he and Flopos get along.

Give it up, r289. You’re starting to sound whiny. The money went to the next in line, in all likelihood.

R286 He is a rich kid from a rich country, i don't know if he is socially conservative but you can bet he is fiscally conservative for sure (most tennis players are).

And of course Kyrgios had something to say about Thiem, but he find a quite subtle way to call him (and the whole group) idiot without saying it, and for once he is totally right.

Thiem is one of the players who is coming worse of this situation, he had a nice guy fame but nothing he did in this period worked in his favour

I used to follow Thiem on Insta but he’s too damn boring

R296 I don't care him being boring, but his behaviour during the last months is dissapointing. Of course it's not his fault because probably his nice guy image was just that, what he wanted to project.

At least Kiki is quite honest about being a bitch

Zverev quitted of the exhibition tournament he was going to play so there won't be a match against Kyrgios (which it would be very interesting for several reasons)