AO Tennis 2014

[Cruiser Elite]

So what would you pay to see Fri nts match Rafa V Roger live at RLA?

 

[nlagalle]

So what would you pay to see Fri nts match Rafa V Roger live at RLA?

View attachment 23458

Ouch... I see the finals tickets are about $400 odd... glad i am not paying to go!

 

[tuapekastar]

Don't want to sound negative, but gotta say I have been finding tennis progressively more boring to watch over the years (on TV at least, live is different). I think it's because the courts (other than Wimbledon) have all become so slow they've killed off the serve-volley player. There was was nothing like watching a good serve-volleyer play a good passing-shot baseliner. I used to love it. Rafter, Cash, Edberg, McEnroe come to mind - actually, scrub McEnroe, he was a boil on the butt of tennis with his boorish behaviour (sublime as his talents were), and many players before them.

Now it is almost always two guys (or gals) slugging it out from the baseline. I'm sure those who know tennis better than me will be better aware of tactics used by these players (and no doubt they are there), but it does seem fairly one-dimensional.

 

[mozerz]

Don't want to sound negative, but gotta say I have been finding tennis progressively more boring to watch over the years (on TV at least, live is different). I think it's because the courts (other than Wimbledon) have all become so slow they've killed off the serve-volley player. There was was nothing like watching a good serve-volleyer play a good passing-shot baseliner. I used to love it. Rafter, Cash, Edberg, McEnroe come to mind - actually, scrub McEnroe, he was a boil on the butt of tennis with his boorish behaviour (sublime as his talents were), and many players before them.

Now it is almost always two guys (or gals) slugging it out from the baseline. I'm sure those who know tennis better than me will be better aware of tactics used by these players (and no doubt they are there), but it does seem fairly one-dimensional.

Couldn't agree more. Now I fall asleep watching marathon matches of 4-5 hours with endless rallies...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Don't want to sound negative, but gotta say I have been finding tennis progressively more boring to watch over the years

Of course everybody is entitled to an opinion - and nobody's opinion is more valid than others - but personally IMHO the game has never been in better shape and the quality of play served up to us is as good if not better than ever.

Just cast your minds back 2 years - the Novak V Rafa final in Melbourne - touted by many serious tennis judges as the possibly the greatest match of all time - certainly the BEST Grand Slam final - Australian Open 2012: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal in five-set, near six-hour Melbourne classic - Telegraph

"The bare facts are that Djokovic won the Australian Open 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 in a match that lasted 5hr 53min. A marathon match for sure, except that this went far beyond that, into Iron Man territory".

But back to this years offerings - it gets really serious tonight - Rafa V Roger - can't wait.

 

[boomy]

But back to this years offerings - it gets really serious tonight - Rafe V Roger - can't wait.

It looks like Nadal is favourite but I really hope it will be another classic 5 set match.

 

[kt_kez]

I'd have to pick Federer to win at the moment with the way he's been playing all tournament.

 

[Anna]

I think it's going to come down to who believes in themselves more, and possibly who wants it more. I think Rafa.

 

[tuapekastar]

Of course everybody is entitled to an opinion - and nobody's opinion is more valid than others - but personally IMHO the game has never been in better shape and the quality of play served up to us is as good if not better than ever.

Just cast your minds back 2 years - the Novak V Rafa final in Melbourne - touted by many serious tennis judges as the possibly the greatest match of all time - certainly the BEST Grand Slam final - Australian Open 2012: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal in five-set, near six-hour Melbourne classic - Telegraph

"The bare facts are that Djokovic won the Australian Open 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 in a match that lasted 5hr 53min. A marathon match for sure, except that this went far beyond that, into Iron Man territory".

But back to this years offerings - it gets really serious tonight - Rafa V Roger - can't wait.

Oh there are still some epic matches out there, and i enjoy those ones as much as anybody, I'm mainly bemoaning the pretty much total lack of serve-volley players these days, and the consequent lack of real variety in matches.
I will be having a look at R v R.

 

[Rox]

I've often wondered; when higher ranked players find themselves out of the tournament much earlier than they expected, how fast do they Head to the airport?
And how do the airlines handle the fact that there may be sudden requests for large group bookings ( or changes of these) at the pointy end over 2 weeks?
I presume they travel in premium classes.

 

[Hvr]

Well looks like we've got a game on our hands with a tie break in the first set.

 

[nlagalle]

I've often wondered; when higher ranked players find themselves out of the tournament much earlier than they expected, how fast do they Head to the airport?
And how do the airlines handle the fact that there may be sudden requests for large group bookings ( or changes of these) at the pointy end over 2 weeks?
I presume they travel in premium classes.

Most head off to their next tournament to give them time to get ready as soon as they can (provided they are only playing singles). Tennis players don't travel with large entourages, so changes wouldn't be too hard for them. Fans that fly in wouldn't change as they usually come to see the whole tournament (or slabs of it)

 

[fersea]

Well looks like we've got a game on our hands with a tie break in the first set.

you might want to update that.

 

[Hvr]

And well done to Li Na to win her first Australian Open in two sets.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And well done to Li Na to win her first Australian Open in two sets.

yes! and she's very funny!!

 

[Hvr]

yes! and she's very funny!!

She is and she knows it. I think comedy comes naturally to her and makes her more appealing as a person. Her obvious love for her husband is also good to see.

 

[drron]

Yes great speech.I was barracking for her.

 

[tuapekastar]

Li Na...what an endearing person! I think a lot of the players are pretty self-centred prima donnas but she seems a genuinely nice person, as well being very funny. Also has one hell of a backhand. The runner up Cibulkova spoke well also and I like that she teared up. Good luck to her in future.

 

[nlagalle]

Don't want to sound negative, but gotta say I have been finding tennis progressively more boring to watch over the years (on TV at least, live is different). I think it's because the courts (other than Wimbledon) have all become so slow they've killed off the serve-volley player. There was was nothing like watching a good serve-volleyer play a good passing-shot baseliner. I used to love it. Rafter, Cash, Edberg, McEnroe come to mind - actually, scrub McEnroe, he was a boil on the butt of tennis with his boorish behaviour (sublime as his talents were), and many players before them.

Now it is almost always two guys (or gals) slugging it out from the baseline. I'm sure those who know tennis better than me will be better aware of tactics used by these players (and no doubt they are there), but it does seem fairly one-dimensional.

Melbourne Park is anything but slow. Having sat out on court, they serve faster and return fast.. I think it is a bit slower than the old rebound ace which most players hated. Roland Garos is slow as it's clay so it'll always be like that. I think the style of game has changed to playing from the baseline. I don't think that is the courts as they play the same as that at Wimbledon too.

 

[tuapekastar]

Melbourne Park is anything but slow. Having sat out on court, they serve faster and return fast.. I think it is a bit slower than the old rebound ace which most players hated. Roland Garos is slow as it's clay so it'll always be like that. I think the style of game has changed to playing from the baseline. I don't think that is the courts as they play the same as that at Wimbledon too.

Problem is that there are very few fast courts around these days, hence players' games are naturally attuned to prevailing conditions. They play baseline and are unable and/or unwilling to change to serve/volley just for Wimbledon or Rhode Island or that grass court tournament (in Holland?) for the Wimbledon lead up.
Melbourne Park is way faster than Clay, but way slower than grass.
Anyways, they are very talented, and I don't doubt there are many and varied tactics, even with baseliners , but I miss good serve/volley players.