The Gays and Tennis Part 147 - Terre battue

Rune takes down Djokovic in three sets. The young guns deliver!

thank you Rune!

love the result

bye Djoko

why is OP grayed out

The OP of tennis threads always get greyed out - not sure why.

What happened with Iga? Groin injury?

[quote]What happened with Iga? Groin injury?

Too much scissoring

I hope Rune along with Alcaraz prevents Djokovic from winning any more slams. It was fun seeing him melt down and be in disbelief that he couldn't outlast his 16 years younger opponent

I hope Rune brats it up against boring Ruud too. We could use a fun Scandinavian rivalry

shame about Swiatek's injury but she really should have closed the match in straight sets

[quote]We could use a fun Scandinavian rivalry

Jaaaa!

have to say as much as I despise Djokovic

it was truly bizarre the behavior that Norrie exhibited yesterday. Pumping his fist and yelling c;mon more than he ever does and then hitting Djokovic with the overhead when he turned around

I'm not a fan of Norrie but it would spice the tour up if he starts doing this more often. I'd like to see him face Djokovic on grass in the UK.

Happy for Ruud. He is finally starting to play better. Though I must say the courts are in a really bad shape. I get that you can't do anything about the weather, but there were some really weird ball bounces yesterday. Even the commentators noticed when Ruud had a miss with his racket. Also, the net literally ripped on not one but several courts. Last but noy least how the fuck can you have a masters 1000 tournament without a roof? Shameful. Say what you want about the Madrid tournament, but at least those courts were in good condition, unlike Rome. Several fans noted how bad the courts were in Rome early on, and they haven't exactly improved. The court and the conditions contributed to more UEs than winners from both players yesterday. It was an awful match.

I have Rune as slight favorite against Ruud in the semifinal. Ruud has a perfect H2H against him, but that was back when Rune was a mediocre player. Rune has improved a lot in just a year. I also feel like current form favors Rune. Ruud has had a very disappointing season so far, especially on clay, which should be his best surface. Granted he has had a good run in Rome, but his opponents haven't exactly played well, so they were easy wins. What might favor Ruud in the Rune match-up is the fact that Ruud might have the mental upper hand as he has won their previous matches. He also has more cofidence now after winning a few matches in Rome. This is clay, which should favor Ruud. Last but not least Rune's last match was a three setter against Djokovic, so he might be more tired than Ruud. I also feel like Ruud has better fitness than Rune. But this is a BO3, so it's different from a slam. We will see what happens but like I said, going by current form I have Rune as a slight favorite.

So Rafa announces tomorrow that he won't play RG, apparently. But will he also say he's out of Wimbledon - or that he's retiring?

Thank you, OP, for creating this thread.

Rune strikes me as only slightly less psychotic than Djokovic. They both have this victim mentality that they're beyond reproach, that everyone else is turning them into egomaniac monsters.

I'd love to see a Ruud-Coric final where it's about good tennis instead of how many sections of the DSM-5 can be checked.

R14 What creeps me out is that Rune has so many fans. I understand he has an exciting game and a ton of talent, even I can recognize that. But I just cannot watch him play. His behavior is appaling and to see people not only celebrate it but encourage it is disgusting. He is a fan favorite now... because he behaves poorly. Meanwhile everyone hates Ruud who has done nothing wrong, he is one of the nicest guys on tour, just because he's "boring". I may be in the minority but I just cannot stand outbursts and fragile masculinity. I cannot stand guys like Rune, Kyrgios etc. They come across as bullies. I prefer to watch tennis players who can behave themselves. This is why my favorites are guys like Alcaraz and Ruud. Alcaraz has an exciting game. He is talented. But he is also humble, nice and down to earth. He lets his tennis speak for him instead. That's how it should be. When Rune is angry he is shouting at everyone, his family, the crowd, even the umpire. I cannot believe the umpire just accepts this behavior. What Rune should get is a ban lasting a few months. I feel that's the only way he will learn. Instead the umpires just give him a measly warning. Pathetic.

Love Rune. He is great for Tennis.

R16 Gross. We don't need more bullies like Kyrgios on the tour.

R17, Kyrgios is one of my faves too

in Bordeaux challenger:

Wawrinka dominates Murray 6-3 6-0

Moutet def. Thiem

Gasquet claws past Kokkinaks

if Nadal does pull out of RG, I'll be bummed

for years I've wanted the younger guys to fucking step up and beat the big 2

we saw Alcaraz get wins over Nadal and Djokovic one time last year but they haven't played since

glad to see Rune bounce Djokovic out of the tournament

but I want someone to beat Nadal at RG. It's a shame Alcaraz and Rune aren't 5 years older. They could helped stop the annoying dominance of Djokovic/Nadal

This year's Rome will be the first time in 18 years neither Djokovic nor Nadal will be in the final, which is one hell of a stat.

R7 she has no injury, and she should finish 3 sets , not run away like rabbit..she is always injured against rybakina it seems. The same was in indian wells and she withdrew from tema competition when Poland had to play with Kazachstan and then she came to Stuttgart.

R20, not every generation takes over and starts beating the top player(s) as age and injury can significantly contribute to a decline in the older player's career. Think of Lendl. He was still near the top of the game until 1991, but then a chronic back injury pushed him out of the game. Same for Federer. His injuries pushed him out, but he was still playing pretty well.

Still, I'm with you. It would be nice to see the younger ones dethrone the Big 2. I'll be curious about Nadal's announcement. If it's just that he's not playing RG, why not just do a press release? Why have a press conference? We'll see.

Nadal out for a few months. Next year likely his final year.

I like Rune. He is cute.

Yeah, I didn't see the Press Conference but according to the commentators on Amazon, he'll probably only play Davis Cup this year, if he plays at all. Next year he'll treat as a 'Farewell Tour' - only playing events that he feels a deep connection with.

Rybakina got Iga's number stashed in her bra!

boring first men's match today

Milos Raonic is rumored to have entered the grass tournament in 's-Hertogenbosch (NL) in June to make a comeback

R29 what TF has happened to his LEGZ????

Medvedev's already got a long face and hairline in full recession. Why would he add a long beard? Now he looks like Squidward with a wild head bush.

because his hair is severely receding on top of his head

Porna Vs Citybus about to start. Could get VERY spicy!

I'm crossing my finger for Medvedev not winning this.

If he wins he will be number 2 at RG, and i'm envisionning a draw with Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sinner and Rune with Medvedev and Ruud on the other part of the draw

I want Djokovic and Rune in the same half

Daniela Hantuchova gushing about Prona's ripped body having seeing him in the gym this morning.

Betting Cames Jourier will be spitting feathers and will scratch that ho's eyes out next time he sees her!

Kyrgios' foot injured when he confronted someone trying to steal his Tesla

That asshole would drive a frigging Tesla!

Oh, and TF he's out of the French Open. The fewer tournaments he plays the better. Just a shame that he will almost certainly stink up Wimbledon again.

[quote]I'm crossing my finger for Medvedev not winning this.

Just the one?

Call me Coco and Pegula are in their 3rd successive doubles final

to show everyone had bad Alcaraz had to have played against a lowly qualifier! Qualifier in the next match loses to Coric, (who handily lost to Carlos just a couple of weeks ago), Coric, losing easily right now to Tsitsipas, who in turn is always routinely routed by Alcaraz...

yeah, yeah, I know tennis is about match-ups, still embarrassing for Alcaraz!..

R9... Norrie is a ass, who thinks he's better than he actually is...

when he beat Alcaraz a couple of months ago, when Carlos was LITERALLY playing on one leg and Norrie still was only barely able to beat him in 3 sets, Norrie reacted like he just won Wimbledon and over a 100% healthy player! UTTERLY CLASSLESS!... Even in the post match interview, when the interviewer mentioned that Alcaraz was clearly compromised and not even 50%, Norrie refused to mention this, comment on this, even offer too bad, I feel bad for Carlos comments.

R40 not embarrasing . hungarian played great, if he played with Borna like with carlitos , we would see him today

R15.. totally agree with you! I'm sorry but something is very very wrong morally and ethically and integrity wise, if people find being a asshole and profane is "entertaining"!...

I mean isn't this trump lovers mentality?...

R43 why people always start talking about Trump when someone is mean,wrong morally or ethically? As a european I find it strange

Euro—if you lived here, you would know better…as he is the closest living thing to Mephistopheles that we may ever see up close. Le Pen x Orbán + a sprinkle of Putin…it would bother you too (I hope).

Citybus getting broken and immediately being a little prissy dick. This is why no-one likes him.

R44, in the U.S., we’ve been permanently scarred by him.

R45 well , I live here and we europeans would love to have Tramp for a president in usa because Biden does everything in his power to have WW3 with Russia In Ukraine and Poland. Biden has been thinking about war with russia since forever. He is aggressor . And Trump is no worse than Obama

R48.. WTF??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Semis = Rune/BRAT and Citybus/Medvedev - 2 match ups where both pairs HATE each other!

R49 what part of my post you did not understand? You live in a bubble, it seems and you dont know what is going on

R49, r48 does NOT speak for me or the vast majority of Europeans. He sounds like a loon.

I think I smell borscht and vodka. Anybody having dinner?

R52 what? do you know how many countries( I mean people) are against USA and NATO ?You live in a basement? usa IS taking control over Europe. It is happening. European's economy is falling down. Europeans companies are opening their productions in usa because europe is too expensive. USA loves it. And thats what they wanted. They want to seperate europe from china. Thats the point of this war.

R54 O do fuck off.

R55 how much do you pay for gas and electricity? As a american? Yeah, exactly, so you fuck off. We have to pay for your wars here.

I have an idea. How about you start another thread, R56, to stand on your soapbox and be a Trump apologist. Let's get back to tennis.

R56 I'm neither American nor do I live in America. Take your political bullshit elsewhere and leave us tennis fans to talk about the sport.

R57 maybe better be trump apologist than supporter of war aggressor? typical brainwashed american

R58 so where are all americans from here? gone? Suddenly we have no hamburgers here! lol take your political american bullshit from Europe and we will better too! No war, no inflation !

Legz, bishes!

Cootermetova Team or Kalinina Team?

Peppa Team or Rybakbot Team?

bye Prona

Rune's mom is such a character photo@ R61

^ yeah she and Mama Andreescu are unique creatures

The ESL has been strong in this thread today.

Kalinina Team

Peppa Pig Team for the "lolz" and camp, but I also appreciate Rybakina and wouldn't mind her winning.

Thanks so very much for asking.

Enormously Specious Loon?

[quote] Milos Raonic is rumored to have entered the grass tournament in 's-Hertogenbosch (NL) in June to make a comeback

The porcine Milos Raonic.

can't wait for the men's SF I hope they have some fun bitchy moments

The women's matches are quite interesting.

A SF match between Kalinina and Kudermetova will get a lot of attention obviously

Ostapenko vs. Rybakina 2 slam champs in good form.

I'm hoping for Ostapenko and Kalinina to win

Ima say

Rybakina Team b/c she's sort of the new Ice Princess

Cootermetova Team b/c I love her name

Coric needs to cut his hair. He is not even top 10 hottest players at the moment.

I like them all except Kalalalalannina

can't wait to see Raonic's great calves again! The only one who rivals him in that department is Karatsev...SEXY!!

I prefer Borna with long hair. Much better than the military brain-dead look.

Raonic has an unfortunate shape.

Rybakina seems really vulnerable and beatable on clay. She lucked out getting not one but two retirements due to injury. I think Ostapenko will win in straight sets but I'll be happy to be wrong. I like her for some reason.

Her being Rybakina.

Very much looking forward to Medvedev v Tstitsipas. Shut his fuck up, Daniil!

Coo Der! Coo Der Ma TOVA! Coo Der! Coo Der Ma TOVA!

Kalinina's husband/coach is a lot cuter than she is. She married up.

I didn't think anyone could make Ted Robinson's commentary more boring than it usually is, but pairing him with Puig is deadly. He needs someone like Petkovic who has a personality.

Puig!

Hantuchova on Amazon Prime is the best commentator in my opinion. She always knows what she's talking about and her English is very impressive. She always makes Rusedski look like the dunce that he is.

Borna's long hair isn't a bad look. But the bush covering half his face is blight on the beautiful landscape.

R84, can I assume you’re watching in Europe?

Sports is supposed to unite us. Its a shame these Ukranian girls prefer to be so extra and not shake opponents hands

R86 You can. I'm in the UK.

The Tennis coverage on Prime is not available in the States, unfortunately.

I would've thought much less of Kalinina if she shook Kudermetova's hand.

Borna will long hair is one thing. Borna with his current mullet is another.

Halep's been accused of a further doping offence, this time with irregularities with her biological passport.

[quote] irregularities with her biological passport.

What does that mean? She is a he?

Knew something was off when Halep came out of nowhere to ebat Serena at Wimbledon final

Simona Halep needed to hand Serena her 2018 Wimbledon trophy and title because Halep was drugged up

R93, they may have the information now to detect irregularities that indicate she took illegal substances earlier in her career.

Med Team or Titsy Team?

Cute Casper Team or Legz Team?

she's not the only one doping.

[quote] What does that mean? She is a he?

I think she is a he, and I think she's a changeling.

TitsyLegz for me too.

I was listening to a commentator who said Medvedev had a "spaghetti" thing going on with his arms and legs. Anybody know what he might be talking about? Is he kind of loosy-goosy? Or just too dang tall?

^ they call him the tennis octopus

he's all arms and legs and they're everywhere

Thanks R100. Interesting. I try to not to like him, but I kind of do. Not sure why. Not as much as Rublev or Fritz, of course.

* I try not to like him...

And back on the drugs -- surely Sabalenka. I mean, my god, that manly jaw.

I don't mind Med. For somebody who hates clay, he's adapting pretty fast.

Oh and remember Mauresmo? Though we may have to get used to it with the trans women hordes that'll be a comin.

Medvedev team.

Ruud team, but I wouldn’t mind the Brat/Legz advancing for the eye candy. Ruud/Rune is definitely the eye candy match for me.

[quote]Ruud/Rune is definitely the eye candy match for me.

hell yeah

Mauresmo has been eating a LOT of butter and croissants, damm

[quote] For somebody who hates clay,

I don't like clay. It's slippery, and red, and irritating, and it gets everywhere.

R105=Cames

Looks like Mauresmo was pregnant there.

You're right, R109. She's given birth to two kids.

happy for Kalinina

hope she wins the title but obvious underdog

The lust for Rune is puzzling.

To me he looks like a Chucky doll with several layers of Mom's Max Factor slathered on.

Eh he's the twinkiest player in the top 10. I can kind of see the appeal if it weren't for his personality.

Also, I made satanic pact that I would root for any player to take out Novax for any given tournament so I'm contractually obligated to root for him to take the trophy.

Happy to have been wrong about the JO/Rybakina match. Rybakina played superbly. I hope she wins but I'll be happy with either woman winning.

Wait...you JOed to the Rybakina match?

Wonder if Rune will grow out of the Chucky look in a few years.

He's an awkward brat but I was rooting for him in the Fognini match, where we was booed onto court but stayed cool and won decisively – over an opponent who outmatches him in petty whining and homophobia.

He's awkward brat but I was rooting for him in Fog match.

[quote] Raonic has an unfortunate shape.

Pig shape?

[quote] why people always start talking about Trump when someone is mean,wrong morally or ethically?

why are all top male players have some kind of "mental Issue"? is their any top male player that is more or less down to earth and normal?..

Rune would look better with a lower hairline. He looks better with the hat on during matches.

It's not that I love him but he is a great player already at a young age and I love that he's fearless in taking on even someone like Djokovic. I'm annoyed he might not get a chance to play Nadal.

Also let's be honest, some of the guys in this generation are boring. Rune brings an edge with him. Hoping for some fireworks again against Ruud

Ruud is another one who looks much better on court than off, maybe the headband helps

What are Rune’s and Ruud’s respective skin colors?

Alcaraz is back to training per his Instagram after the humiliating loss. Good thing Roland Garros is best of 5. He can be inconsistent for a set or two and still win the match.

R120 I'd rather watch a boring player than an asshole, sorry. I admit Rune is talented and plays great tennis. However, that is not enough for me to root for him because I think he's a brat. He should have gotten a ban a long time ago. Too bad all the umpires are pussies. Anyway, I prefer Alcaraz to him because Alcaraz has an exciting game too and he also has a ton of talent. But he is also humble, nice and down to earth. Something Rune dreams of being. So yeah, I'll continue to root for Alcaraz, thanks. Rune makes me wanna puke.

Alcaraz is only 20

some are making too big of a deal to his surprising loss the other day. He hasn't hit his peak yet which is scary. Love watching him play. I want him to win RG

[quote] Wonder if Rune will grow out of the Chucky look in a few years.

Yes, his face will slowly morph into his mother’s, including the dramatic Cleopatra-esque black eyeliner.

Honestly, there is nothing weirder than what is happening with Halep at the moment. I no longer have any idea of whether she's guilty or not, but this thing just won't go away.

Former players Marat Safin & Thomas Johansson with Romania's Sorana Cirstea

Ugh, time is a cunt. Safin used to be hawt.

Ruud is an idiot

Yep Ruud just gave away that second set. Though Rune got kinda lucky with some shots. Especially that one inside out cross court forehand.

R123... completely agree with you! Let your racket do the talking not your mouth....

Now that I think of this, WHY IN THE WORLD DO all the players both male and female CONSTANTLY whine, scream, yell, make faces, plead at their box of coaches, friends, family, etc? JESUS CHRIST, you're supposed to be mature adults and professional athletes! It's beyond embarrassing as I know I would be embarrassed to act this way! All of them act like 5 year old insecure pathetic brats!!....Newsflash, they can't help you on the court (besides a bit of coaching from the stands), and if you need THAT MUCH encouragement something is wrong with you/them!

I remember years ago when a interviewer asked Chris Evert why she never looked in the stands for her coach, parents, husband, etc for support and she replied that it's only her on the court, she has to figure it out and she would see this as a sign of WEAKNESS! Which it is!...

this is pathetic

Rune's record against Top 5 players is 7-1.

The UGOAT is back!

He fell down to 157 in the rankings last summer but has peen progressively clawing his way back up. He's just beaten Etcheverry in the final in Bordeaux - his second 175 Challenger title on the bounce and is now back inside the Top 40. Good to see him get his shit together - I've always like his game style, and he seems like a very nice kid.

Here he is with Grampy Gasquet in the semi. Richard proudly displaying his Big Peen.

Casper😭😭😭 I have given up on him. I just accept that he's going to suck forever. I can't believe he lost to the brat. It makes me sick. And those arrogant Danes celebrate it by shitting on Ruud. You should read the Danish headlines. Sadly I understand Danish (as in the language). I don't think I'll be watching much tennis in the upcoming years. I cannot stand the asshole. RIP tennis.

R135 The Little Shit pulling his usual MO in the second set and feigning an injury after he got broken to disrupt Ruud's momentum. Ruud should have been mentally tougher but it still doesn't make what the Brat does acceptable.

I know he's not the only player that does this, but with The Brat you can set your watch by it. Hope he gets crushed in the final.

Glad Rune won. Ruud strikes me as an undercover / secret asshole. It's all in the face.

Go Rune! I hope he wins the Finals tomorrow

Karma would be Rune getting a career-ending injury on the brink of victory tomorrow.

The one thing I did like about Ruud today was his lilac kit. He doesn't have the best of asses, but this color and shorts really showed off what he does have nicely.

Rune is a fucking CHEATER. That's the only way he knows how to win. Every time Ruud was in the lead or had a break point he literally stalled the time. He even got a warning from the umpire. Medical time outs, bathroom breaks, even stopping a serve to dry off using a towel. What a fucking pussy. At least Alcaraz loses with grace. This asshole doesn't know what that means.

Among Rune's many repulsive traits, not mentioned yet: his voice, which sounds like a braying donkey or pig,

Yeah!

Jeah!

LEGZ, bishes!

Love him or hate him, he's the real deal.

Which brand of makeup does he wear and/or endorse?

....

R145 In a post where you claim he's the 'Real Deall' you post a pic of him feigning yet another 'injury' to disrupt the momentum of his opponent...

[quote] feigning yet another 'injury' to disrupt the momentum of his opponent...

Det gør så ondt!

There needs to be a rule that if a tournament wants 1000 level status, they are required to have a roof for at least one court. These weather delays are total BS and also completely avoidable.

They're having a good discussion on Tennis Channel now regarding why a roof would be a bad investment for and a drain on the Italian Tennis Federation.

This match is as on again/off again as ATP players with the loves of their lives!

[quote] This match is as on again/off again as ATP players with the loves of their lives!

I meant WTA at R152. It's so hard to tell the women from the men nowadays!

R145 Rune has a lot of determination and ambition, but he doesn't have Alcaraz talent and his physical is not reliable right now.

He is doing really well, and atp is promoting the hell out of him (and the gushing will be sky high if it wasn't for Alcaraz) but he has to prove himself on a GS. He is very young and he is doing better than Sinner but we need to watch if he is able to deliver when it matters

Now that it has resumed:

Medvedev team or Tsitsy/Citybus team?

In other matches:

Pegula/Gauff team or Sanders/Mertens team?

Tsitsipas is gay, right? I root for him. I cannot root for gay hating Russians.

Club Medvedev Team

Kiki & Co Team

Tack för att du frågar!

R156 Med doesn't hate gays.

R156 Yes, we know. You tell us all the time.

Citybus down a set and a break. Hopefully Little Miss Priss is going down in flames...

God, if Medvedev wins this tournament he will be number 2 at RG and that could mean Alcaraz, Djokovic, Rune and Sinner in the same part of the draw.

I don't care how bratty he is i'll be rooting for Rune tomorrow

I personally think Rune is talented, just as much if not more than Alcaraz. He has more variety in his game and makes fewer mistakes. He is not as erratic as Alcaraz. This is why I think it's sad that he's resorting to cheating. In 9 out of 10 matches he would win without stalling time and yelling abuse at the umpire and god knows who else. I don't understand why he does it. It just makes him look like an asshole.

R161 sounds wonderful! Great chance that NoVaxxx and Rune go out early!

GO MEDVEDEV!

R163 Sounds like another unbalanced draw. Last year Zverev, Alcaraz, Nadal and Novak on the same part of the draw.

Sorry but i don't want Ruud or Medvedev on the RG final just because they have a cake draw

Daniil through to final. Does a weird victory dance.

Yeah Medvedev at 2 could create a very lopsided draw potentially.

Will be an exciting final of 2 drama queens Love Tsitsi but next time...

Now that it is actually taking place:

Rybakina team or Kalinina team?

I really like how Med has embraced the clay. But Ima say Legz Team just to keep things interesting.

I know Kalinina has played a lot of tennis this week and it shows. She walks around the court with a very tired demeanor. I bet whether she wins or loses this match Kalinina gets a false sense of her abilities and loses early at the French.

so how is she winning this at the moment?

The source of Meddy's victory 'boogie' - an homage to/piss take of Citybus in Cincy last year.

^ you think Med is that petty / vindictive?

He also fell to the ground like he was shot when he won the Open.

[quote] Kalinina gets a false sense of her abilities and loses early at the French.

She is already there .

Sorry but this girl is just not at the same level of the other girls like rybakina, Iga Ostapenko, Sablenak etc. She is not even at Gauff's level.

Kalainan gets on my nerves, I get the sense that she believes she is owed this win.

*a win*

Of course, R173. The enmity between those two has run deep ever since the days of "shut your fuck up",

Surprisingly, Medvedev proves to better at both dancing and callipygousness.

[quote]callipygousness.

calipygiosity?

Disagree there, strongly. Med is flat as a board. You could drink tea off of Stef's booty.

Agreed, Medvedev is absolutely that petty. At least he and Tsitsipas feud in a way that has some comic undertones, so it's not (yet) as gross as when Kyrgios and Wawrinka got into it.

OMG that is one awkward dancer - but I guess you can play tennis great but be a shit dancer. (Tsitsipas looked cool with his shimmy thing though). I didn't think the dances were that similar but that may be due to Meddy being such crap at it.

I love Rybakina but my heart's with Ukraine regardless of whatsername's personality) so I can't lose! Also, Ryba got robbed 2000 points and the usual pizzazz of winning a Wimby final.

As for Rune-Med sheesh. Don't care. Go with Dennis the Menace I guess for a young'un to get some more cred, even if he's an ass.

To each his own. I think Tsitsipas looks like one of the worst dancers ever in that link.

Cougar sexpot Pam is mourning Rafa's absence at Roland Garros

Yeah I guess you're right - my eyes were fixated on his shorts, and they looked pretty good, R181.

I'm only just back to watching tennis - who are the gaybies other that Tsitsy (if he is)? Do they still have to closet?

Who hit Pammie in the face with a cast-iron skillet?

Oh my what the hell is Medvedev doing at R172 link?. This man almost tripped himself trying to dance. At least Tsispass looked cool doing his.

Over via walkover. Kalinina leaves.

Kalinina retires from Rome final with injury.

Not surprising with how much tennis she's played recently.

That was difficult to watch. Rybakina was classy about it but what an odd tournament this was for her.

Rybakina is a pretty cool customer.

It was weird. 3 out of 6 opponents retired against Rybakina this week. I wonder what the most is for a 1000 or even a slam winner.

^ she's a witch!

If by cool, you mean angry and peristaltic, R185, I agree.

Other rumored gaybies (let's say 25 and under), R183: Rublev, Shelton (MAGA with a beard), Draper, Etcheverry (the guy Rune was playing against when he yelled "faggot", which he then said he was calling himself, so apparently that's Rune's coming out moment). And wishful thinking: Humbert, Arnaldi, Fils.

Rybakina and Iga at least got through two sets of tennis before Iga had to retire. The match against Kalinskaya was almost a total wash.

Really, we think Mopsy is gay? Well, he *is* paying a lot of attention to his physique.

OK, Team Mopsy!

Rybakina will leave this tournament having barely broken a sweat. Easy Masters victory for her.

Mopsy Team!

pathetic ukrainian coward

I don't get what this Italian crowd is booing for during this trophy ceremony. Italians are kooky.

This ceremony is a mess.

R197 oh it was the Ukrainian people in the crowd? For what?

R199 it was messy. The runner up Kalinina spoke after the winner though I think that was because she hadn't come back out yet. Then the giving of trophies to both ladies was awkward. Rybakina was like "can I just take it?"

Rybakina is the coolest one on tour

R180 but my heart's with Ukraine/ Thank you ! We aprreciate it.

The crowd was booing the tournament organisers, not the players.

They were probably also booing the weather, which was atrocious all week!

[quote] The crowd was booing the tournament organisers

Is Feliciano López the tournament director in Rome too?

tbh, if I came all they way out to the stadium in the cold and rain and after midnight, I'd probably boo, too if someone retired

Was the women's doubles ceremony as bad as that? Did anyone watch?

DIttmann team or Yarlagadda team?

Rybakina is the best!! I hope she repeats at Wimbledon this year.

I loved seeing that Rybakina and Kalinina are friends and embraced after the match

Rybakina has improved a lot in the last year on all surfaces but she got very lucky this week in Rome. Her 3 toughest opponents all retired. She struggles against Kalinskaya, Swiatek had her on the ropes until she choked and then got hurt in the tiebreak and Kalinina started off well but physically couldn't last due to her 2 previous marathon matches

Rybakina could get to the SF at RG with the right draw but with the wrong draw she could go out by rd32

the Italian crowd booing was weird but they, the Spanish and French crowds seem to be very temperamental and nutty

Don’t Rybakina and Kalinina share the same coach?

Rybakina gave a very gracious victory speech.

hoping for some fireworks between Medvedev and Rune

I'm really impressed by the sudden improvement Medvedev has made on clay which started at the end of clay season last year. He's so much more comfortable on it

Rune has shown he's so confident and just kept his composure after dropping the 1st set tiebreak. Ruud was a disaster after-he started framing and mishitting forehands again. If he doesn't have confidence in his best shot, he's going to have trouble staying in the top 30. We first saw the botched sitters when he played in I think Acapulco a couple months ago. The forehand yips were back today. Ouch

Since when do we think Big Jack D may be a gayling? Is this wishful thinking?

[bold] the final pre-RG event draws are out

Geneva [/bold]

top 4 seeds get byes Ruud, Fritz, Zverev, Dimitrov

thiccc Wolf

Paire vs. Eubanks battle of the talls

#5 Shelton vs. Cecchinato

#8 Mannarino vs. Krajinovic

super thiccc Giron vs. Bublik

[bold] Lyon [/bold]

top 4 byes FAA, Norrie, Paul, Cerundolo

WC Fils

#8 Nakashima vs. Schwartzman

#5 Kecmanovic vs. Etcheverry

Draper

#6 Baez vs. Fucsovics

WC Monfils vs. Cachin

Goffin

[bold] Rabat [/bold]

#1 Trevisan

#7 Fruhvirtova

#3 Sherif

DL former forgotten fave Mladenovic

#6 Putintseva

#4 Parks

#5 Fernandez vs. Sorribes Tormo

#2 Stephens vs. returning (yet again) Zvonareva

[bold] Strasbourg [/bold]

#1 Linette

Pavlyuchenkova

Cornet

#7 Davis

#5 Cirstea

WC Svitolina

#2 Mertens

Yes Daddy!

Legz touching his leg.

[quote]Don’t Rybakina and Kalinina share the same coach?

Yes, Stefano Vukov used to coach Kalinina, and AK introduced Rybakina to him.

Is Patrick fucking Rune daily??

Russian. Russian? Russian!

Patrick.. what a grifter con artist.. He REEKS of it...

Rune has nice legs, but I personally would like them much bigger, his legs are muscular and sinewy looking, i like muscular and huge (love bodybuilders) but yeah, I know he's a tennis player...

R221 sounds like you're in desperate need of some Aslan Katatsev - The Original Legz

R222. yeah, thanks I needed that... I wish he and the others would go "old school" and wear the really short shorts of the 70s! now that would be a sight!....

Brat/Legz team or Medvedev team?

Medvedev, lesser of two evils, plus more wit than Rune will ever possess.

Daniil wins first set 7-5.

Medvedev one set away from causing a very wacky draw next week.

I shouldve added potentially. How often is the 3rd seed placed on the same side as number 1?

Medvedev Team.

Brat-Free Zone here!

I am not gettin excited, ruud won first set as well

R228 it is random! There are only possible outcomes = 50/50 chance.

Sorry, there are only TWO possible outcomes.

Shut his fuck up, Daniil!

Oh dear, oh dear, The Brat FLOPPED hard! Who was banging on about his consistency?

He's only won one title this year - the 250 in Munich - and that was only because VDZ got the total yips in the final set.

Daniil wins. Weird French Open draw.

You had ONE job to do, Rune! Now RG is going to be Med v whoever can survive.

Cames Jourier must be reading DL again. He just said regarding the Brat:

[quote] If he had the legz to stay in this

Rome 2023, where hard courters Med and Rybakina ruled the day.

Prior to the men's final Navratilova was awarded the Golden Racket award. Not sure what it stands for, just being a 'tennis icon' I guess

Navratilova was adorable giving her speech in Italian. It was reassuring to see even someone of her achievements be shaking with nerves and on the verge of tears.

Do any of you think International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Andy Roddick is better looking now than in his playing prime?

I wonder if Brooklyn Decker met Mirka at the Met Gala

Brat loses! Fuck yeah! Karma after cheating against Ruud.

Glad to see Boris Becker in the stands. What is up with these mama boys ike Rune and Tsisipas, always shouting at their moms to leave the stands when they're losing a match??

R241... does Roddick have the slimmest resume ever to be in the hall of fame? won 1 grand slam title and ended the year number #1 one time..

course, he got it and gets his "commentary" gigs because he's considered a "cool bro" among the tennis powers that be.. tennis is like hollywood, connections, who you know, and if you're in the "in crowd"....

That Fop Courier, non stop yakking away and always with the culture references! Goodall like that annoying voice of Petchey, acts like each great point and great match is the greatest of all time... Between courier, goodall and pitchey, tennis sounds so ridiculous...

Someone claimed that Rune was more talented than Alcaraz, but Carlos won his first masters 1000 finals.

Rune has the attitude and the ambition but he is not consistent enough yet.

I know that the rain made the clay faster and that was in Daniil's favour but Rune is better on clay and he even served to win the second set

The frech gave Gabriel Debru a wc for the qualies. It's too soon (he is not 18 yet, he was last year junior champion at RG) but he has a lot of potential, he is tall and his serve is huge

[quote] Gabriel Debr

[quote] he is tall

As tall as Medvedev.

R246 Rune did win his first masters 1000. Paris against Djokovic in 2022. R245 He also was on a winning Davis cup team and in the top 5 for many years so I do think he deserves his spot but you can probably find many on this board who agree with you. I do think your description of Courier as a fop is spot on though.

I don't disagree that Roddick's track record leaves a lot to be desired. He's in the HoF by virtue of the fact that he's the last American man to win a Grand Slam.

20 fucking years ago. That's really pathetic and sad.

I think they also were recognizing that he made three Wimbledon finals during the Federer era, including one epic match. You don’t usually gets points for being runner-up, but when you’re runner-up to Fed — and gave him perhaps his toughest final while at his peak —it says something.

[quote]20 fucking years ago. That's really pathetic and sad.

Hold on just another year or two!

R245 R250 Goran Ivanisevic is also in the Tennis Hall of Fame. He has a slimmer resume than Roddick. Ivanisevic won one slam and never got to number 1. Roddick had a better career than other contemporary one-slam winners such as Moya and much, much better than say Costa, Gaudio or Johannsson.

Almost no one won a slam on the men's side between 2004 and 2018 other than Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic. So the Tennis Hall of Fame is going to have to start inducting lesser names so that they actually have someone to induct. That most likely means Cilic and Del Potro - other one-slam winners with lesser resumes than Roddick - will also get in.

^ Vergiss mich nicht, bitch!

They often recognize what a particular person meant to a region. I could see del Potro getting in along those lines.

Murray and Wawrinka well ahead of the one-slam wonders, surely

But you have to be retired to get into the HOF

Yes, both will immediately get in.

But in this era where a few men have won almost everything, they need to fill spaces so one-hit wonders will mostly make the grade.

Murray is going to skip Roland Garros

Good. I'm sick of him taking wild cards away from younger, more deserving players.

it's just weird he played 2 different clay challengers only to skip RG

^ If he'd won one he probably would have played RG

dear tennis draw gods!

PLEASE give Djokovic a murderer's row draw from hell at this year's RG. Put him on the same side as Alcaraz, give him Rune in the QF, put Zverev and Struff in his early round sections too and anyone else who might give him hell

sincerely,

everybody except the Djokotard base

Murray did just win a clay challenger, too.

I think he should just retire already. Even Nadal is signaling the end - maybe the 2024 clay season/Olympics?

RG qualification draws out

notable names

Karatsev vs. antivaxxer idiot Herbert

recently in-form Hanfmann

Bergs vs. Johnson

Koepfer the spitting guy

Basilashvili

Pouille

Alcaraz conqueror Marozsan

Rodionov vs. Holt son of Tracy Austin

...

Karatantcheva comeback! wow

Andreeva

Townsend

Zidansek

Siegemund

Barthel ! another comeback

Tauson

Govortsova another comeback

Vandeweghe

Kenin wow she's really fallen

Wickmayer yet another comeback!

Yastremska

R260 Murray is ranked no 42 so he wouldn’t be taking a wild card from anybody.

r253 JC Ferrero and Moya were on the ballot the last few years but neither passed the 75% vote threshold. Would think that JFC's coaching success would get him in, even though it's not a part of his career accomplishments.

R192 not sure what's rumored but Hurkacz pings too. And the MAGA adjacency seems like his way to cope. I think Poland is the worse place for gays of all EU countries.

[quote] I think Poland is the worse place for gays of all EU countries.

Hi, from the runner up.

Bulgaria and Romania score the worst in the EU for accepting homosexuality into their culture. Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo score the worst in Europe along with the other usual Russia/Eastern-bloc suspects.

Can anyone name a European player (non-native English speaker) who doesn’t use “for sure” as a placeholder word during conversation? It sticks out to me—I know Borg was famous for it in his interviews—but that’s not a verbal tic in U.S. English since back in 80s L.A.

Aslan in short shorts serving more content for MASSIVE Legz fans

The Big 3 + Murray were an amazing group of players and it was an amazing era, but fan fatigue is real, and I and other tennis fans I know are just sick of them winning everything. It's time for a new group to start battling each other for Slams and the other big tournaments. Nadal's body was eventually going to break down given the way he played. It's incredible he lasted as long as he did. I do wonder what permanent damage he's done to his body. Fed got out when the injuries were too much to overcome. Djokovic will start to break down eventually. It really is something the way they stayed mentally sharp for so long, but they did get an assist from the mentally weak also-ran generations that came after them.

It was too bad to watch Rune lose to Medvedev, and on clay even. That makes two Masters 1000 clay tournaments where he reached the final and then did not come up with his best tennis. I agree with above posters that he's behind Alcaraz on this score. It's especially bad that he lost to I-hate-clay Medvedev.

what about coco's chances?

Coco can win lots of doubles titles.

[quote]Kenin, wow she's really fallen

Ouch, she lost to a local wild card player who's ranked #278

New thread, since this one is paywalled: