“Also, how common are penalties that cost a player a whole game? There must be very few of them, and even fewer in Grand Slam events, and probably even fewer (perhaps none) in Grand Slam finals. It would be interesting to compare what leads to such a drastic penalty for different players, even though it likely can’t be a properly scientific analysis.”
It’s not common but the reason for that is that every player knows that the 3rd violation incurred will cost them a game so they don’t go where Serena went even after a first code violation and definitely not after the second violation.
Katrina Adams, president of the USTA should NOT have said after the match that 'perhaps this was not the result we were looking for'. Whether she meant 'hoping for' or 'expecting', which have two different meanings, it came across as favoritism to Serena and denigrating Osaka.<<
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Katrina Adams also said right during the trophies presentation that Serena was “a great role model”. This tells you all what you need to know about Katrina Adams.
Note that the tone would be different if Osaka were to play under the US flag. After all she lived in the US since she was 3 and hardly speaks Japanese. This is a major failure of USTA Talent Identification department to recognize her talent and potential early and offer financial support. USTA spends millions every year to make sure that there are Americans in the second week of US Open but most of this money are wasted by incompetent USTA management who got their positions through connections.
My husband and I went to all 5 sessions of the Laver Cup at the United Center in Chicago. For the tennis lovers on this thread I wholeheartedly endorse this event. It was 3 days of fabulous tennis.
We were initially worried that it would be ‘exhibition-type’ tennis. However, it was excellent tennis. The players played like they do on the tour, yet there was a bit of a fun/entertainment vibe to it at the same time. It felt like having your peers/team watching contributed to the seriousness of the play. Yet they also seemed to be trying to get the Laver Cup momentum going so the players showed some personality. Did I say we loved it?
The best part of it was being able to see players like Federer and Djokovic. If you’ve ever attended a Grand Slam event you know it’s a gamble concerning what players you’ll see. This format guarantees you’ll see the big name guys play. We got to see Roger in 2 doubles matches and 2 singles matches…plus we got some great up-close (along the sideline of a practice court) pictures of Federer. We walked less than 10 feet from him!!
Add the fact that the tennis is played indoors in a climate-controlled setting with better food/restroom access than at the majors equals a big thumbs up.
Lastly, we loved the 10 point super tiebreaker format. I believe 8 of the 11 matches went to the super tiebreaker. It adds excitement and makes sitting through 4 matches in a single day better on the body.
Next year’s Laver Cup will be in Geneva, Switzerland and we think we’ll make the trip. My husband…the tennis-playing, lifelong fan of the game…is convinced this was his best tennis experience. And he’s been to all 4 majors.
I watched a lot of it this weekend on TV and really enjoyed it. The announcers on TV were saying you could tell it was “real” for the athletes because they were getting tight. I can easily spend 12 at a tennis tournament, but I wondered if it was a lot of waiting/sitting around for the athletes.
The players on the sideline seemed to be having a good time. I think the novelty of sitting, talking and watching tennis with your peers, coupled with the fact they could come and go as they pleased made the downtime for them more bearable.
They showed some of the guys bring out snacks. Others like Jack Sock and Nick Kyrgios seemed to enjoy their role as cheerleaders when they weren’t playing. As someone who hasn’t been a big Jack or Nick fan, they definitely endeared themselves to the crowd with their fun energy. And I’ll repeat, the tennis was good.
Glad you and your H Had a blast. TennisWorld is always a good time. I’m not a huge fan of exo’s (and I know that they do take these matches sort of seriously, but it’s still and exo) but I could see going if it ever comes to NYC - though it’s doubtful since it’s right after the USO.
I didn’t watch it as the Asian swing is one of my fav times of the season, so I was watching that. But I’ll probably watch LC during the off season to get my fix.
It may technically be an exhibition, but I would be interested in your opinion after you get a chance to watch it. Hopefully, next year’s Switzerland location will motivate Fed to arm-twist good participation by top players.
I watched it last year, so I know what it’s like. Didn’t like the black courts at all - but people who were in Prague said they liked them. It might just be how they appear on TV. I’m also a traditionalist and don’t like when they make any changes to the game. I’m beyond disappointed about what they are doing to Davis Cup. It’s a travesty!
I heart weeDiego. He is a cute patootie. I saw him play Khachanov in Miami’s few years ago. Another huge height disparity.
I’m a traditionalist. I’d be very unhappy with a change to best of 3 in majors. I’m still unhappy they got rid of best of 5 in finals of Masters series.
And don’t get me started on what they are doing to David Cup.
Meanwhile, I’ve been really enjoying the Asian swing. Some very surprising results in both the men’s and women’s tourneys.
Djoker lost ATP World Tour Final (or whatever they changed it’s name to.)
I’m not really a fan of AZ; but I don’t dislike him as much as I do Djoker. So I’m happy even though he beat Rogi in SF. And Rogi made it a much closer match than Djoker, who got thumped.
