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The Tennis Thread

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US Open mens Final tomorrow. Incredible match last night by Tiafoe and Alcaraz. At 19 and on the cusp of his first major while the Big 3 are close to aging out, Alcaraz looks like a challenger for the Next Gen leader. He’s really next next gen at this point. He has been pegged as a future #1 and he may do that at 19. (Note that Djokovic has stopped playing in all events and stopped chasing No 1 after he set the all time weeks at 1 record)

Medvedev and Alcarez look to be the two top guys soon. Though I expect 1-4 more Slams from Nadal and Djokovic. Hell they won 3 of the Slams this year and Nole couldn’t play in the Australian or US. You have guys like Kyrgios and Tsitsipas who have made Slam Finals, and guys like Tiafoe and Zverev and Thiem there as well. But I think Alcaraz has the most complete game.

A very interesting era we are on the brink of. Then again, don’t bet on Rafa/Nole going quietly into the night.
 
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US Open mens Final tomorrow. Incredible match last night by Tiafoe and Alcaraz. At 19 and on the cusp of his first major while the Big 3 are close to aging out, Alcaraz looks like a challenger for the Next Gen leader. He’s really next next gen at this point. He has been pegged as a future #1 and he may do that at 19. (Note that Djokovic has stopped playing in all events and stopped chasing No 1 after he set the all time weeks at 1 record)

Medvedev and Alcarez look to be the two top guys soon. Though I expect 1-4 more Slams from Nadal and Djokovic. Hell they won 3 of the Slams this year and Nole couldn’t play in the Australian or US.

A very interesting era we are on the brink of. Then again, don’t bet on Rafa/Nole going quietly into the night.

I watched that match it was amazing. Rooting for Tiafoe all the way, African immigrant parents and American, easy to root for. The next generation is here, and I left the match yesterday being so impressed with Alcaraz.
 
I watched that match it was amazing. Rooting for Tiafoe all the way, African immigrant parents and American, easy to root for. The next generation is here, and I left the match yesterday being so impressed with Alcaraz.

Same. But also, the US Open is a funny Slam since it is so late. I was convinced Medvedev was going to dominate after last August. I think Djoker just had dead legs in the Final after his long summer (Olympics, etc). So I don’t want to read too much into last night. But he looked like the total package.
 
The men’s side is incredible right now. Best 1-30 crop we may have ever seen.

The women, on the other hand, are pretty weak and even more so now that SW is retired. Hopefully Osaka can get the help she needs and get back to the top.
 
The men’s side is incredible right now. Best 1-30 crop we may have ever seen.

The women, on the other hand, are pretty weak and even more so now that SW is retired. Hopefully Osaka can get the help she needs and get back to the top.

We are coming out of the golden age of tennis for both men and women. With Serena done, the woman are lacking talent and star power. On the men's side, because the big 3 (although not sure Fed still counts) are still around and there is some big talent coming behind them, we are still in that golden age.

We will see what the men have in store after all 3 of the big 3 retire, that said, lasts night's match was incredible. I now have a new favorite young player in Tiafoe and a shit load of respect for Alcaraz. He is crazy good at 19. I remember thinking "how can a 19 year old be a 3rd seed in a major", now i know.
 
We are coming out of the golden age of tennis for both men and women. With Serena done, the woman are lacking talent and star power. On the men's side, because the big 3 (although not sure Fed still counts) are still around and there is some big talent coming behind them, we are still in that golden age.

We will see what the men have in store after all 3 of the big 3 retire, that said, lasts night's match was incredible. I now have a new favorite young player in Tiafoe and a shit load of respect for Alcaraz. He is crazy good at 19. I remember thinking "how can a 19 year old be a 3rd seed in a major", now i know.

Couldn’t agree more. Tiafoe is my new guy too. Though I’ve been Team Nole for a decade or so. Alcaraz looks like he could be a double digit career Slam winner
 
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I watched quite a bit of the US Open while doing my treadmill exercises on a number of evenings. I've always considered myself a very casual tennis fan, but I'm getting more into it now that I'm older. Will be interesting to see who starts to become the next guys/gals now that the 20ish year reigns of Fed, Nadal, Djokovic, and Serena are coming to a close.
 
I've also watched a decent amount of the US this year. Some of the most tennis I've watched in half a decade.

Men's bracket was really fun! Hope Tiafoe can make another long run some day. Alcaraz is super good. His anticipation is incredible, like he knows exactly where each shot is going. Watched some earlier games with my mom and we are both big fans of Kyrgios. Dudes just so entertaining. Glad he decided to continue playing tennis.

Serena's retirement is the biggest one i remember for tennis. Watched an okay amount of women's bracket but it was a lot less entertaining overall though there were some decent matches here and there. Hoping another few superstars pop up in the next few years.
 
About to see history, 2nd youngest major winner in open era, and the youngest #1 since the rankings started in the70's....This kid Alcarez is something else.
 
About to see history, 2nd youngest major winner in open era, and the youngest #1 since the rankings started in the70's....This kid Alcarez is something else.
He has been so impressive. Kid's footwork and speed is on another level. Combined with the anticipation he shows and how he is just able to get on every shot. I know he had a few close scrapes in the majors, but if he can clean up that service game a bit, he will be holding onto that #1 until Joker decides to get vaccinated.
 
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Roger Federer has retired.

The second golden era of mens tennis is nearing its final act. (70s/80s being the first)

Federer brought the sport back to life that was dead and boring post Sampras and Agassi. He played a beautiful and skillful game, more finesse and grace and angles than pure power and defense. And did with a cool and calm demeanor. He and Nadal saved the sport and gave a great 5 year rivalry where really no one could touch them until Djokovic crashed the party and then the three of them pushed each other to new heights. But for many fans it was always Roger. I have Ohio friends who would fly to the US Open just to see Rog. No other player had this effect on the casual fan.

First Serena and now Rog. Rafa and Nole will follow in the coming years. And we will have new stars like Alcaraz and people will proclaim someone else the GOAT. But we will know. We watched the Big 3. And it was Roger who started it. Roger was the first to 20. Roger broke Sampras’s records. Roger broke the weeks at #1. We were here. We were lucky to be here. Godspeed Roger. And thanks.
 
Roger Federer has retired.

The second golden era of mens tennis is nearing its final act. (70s/80s being the first)

Federer brought the sport back to life that was dead and boring post Sampras and Agassi. He played a beautiful and skillful game, more finesse and grace and angles than pure power and defense. And did with a cool and calm demeanor. He and Nadal saved the sport and gave a great 5 year rivalry where really no one could touch them until Djokovic crashed the party and then the three of them pushed each other to new heights. But for many fans it was always Roger. I have Ohio friends who would fly to the US Open just to see Rog. No other player had this effect on the casual fan.

First Serena and now Rog. Rafa and Nole will follow in the coming years. And we will have new stars like Alcaraz and people will proclaim someone else the GOAT. But we will know. We watched the Big 3. And it was Roger who started it. Roger was the first to 20. Roger broke Sampras’s records. Roger broke the weeks at #1. We were here. We were lucky to be here. Godspeed Roger. And thanks.

I remember on here someone was arguing 12 years ago or so on here that Tiger was the best athlete in the world right now. I responded Tigers good friend Federer might be the best athlete in the world.

And I stand by that, for a brief time, Roger wasnt the greatest tennis player, he was probably the best athlete in the world. Tiger maybe surpassed him, Lebron, Brady, some soccer player, Phelps, Bolt, but for a moment, Roger wasnt just the greatest tennis player, he was the most dominant athlete in any sport.

Roger will always be one of my favorite players of all time and was truly a class act.
 
Andy Murray turning back the clock at the Australian Open! Good show!
 
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