Tennis anyone?

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'm also hoping to be able to watch both the men's final and the Euros. Alcaraz v Djokovic at the last Wimbledon was one of the most amazing things I saw all last year and am hoping the rematch lives up to that example.

... But am also hoping Carlos wins! In fact, Spain in both parts of the day!

That 13-minute first game was like an epic overture to the opera that will be the rest of the day.

Alcaraz' reaction speed is astonishing.

Wow, Novak now looks completely lost.

Carlos seems to be faltering a bit now.  Will be interesting to see whether or not Novak can figure  out the answer to the Spanish enigma.

PD

[LKB]

CARLOS!... CARLOS!... CARLOS!... CARLOS!...

[Brian]

Only the third and final set was really competitive. It had some good drama, though. Alcaraz is astonishing. I don't understand how he is able to cover the court so fully and defend some of Djokovic's attempted winners to the left and right.

But with Djokovic unable to get the ball over the net at times, and drawn up to the net far too often, it really wasn't as competitive as I expected.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Only the third and final set was really competitive. It had some good drama, though. Alcaraz is astonishing. I don't understand how he is able to cover the court so fully and defend some of Djokovic's attempted winners to the left and right.

But with Djokovic unable to get the ball over the net at times, and drawn up to the net far too often, it really wasn't as competitive as I expected.

Novak was having a seriously bad day--particularly in terms of at the net.  Amazing though how quickly he was back playing after having had knee surgery.  Impressive that he was able to make it to the finals considering that.  And yes, I also think that the third set was the most competitive too.  Though did you catch the first game of the first set?!  Neither of them was willing to give up.  Kept going back and forth as to who had the advantage.

Loved one shot in particular:  Carlos was returning a shot.  He hit it leaping up into the air (doing a kind of split) and hit it down the sideline (can't remember whether or not it hit the baseline but it was very close).  Yes, he is remarkable to watch--love watching how he plays.  Super speedy too.  Also, he comes across as a very nice young man.  Lovely smile too. 

PD

[LKB]

Good for Carlos, l rather like the kid.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Nadal is playing clay court tennis with Casper Ruud in Båstad (an ATP 250 event in Sweden -- the Nordea Open).  Apparently Casper was asked if he'd be willing to play *doubles with him and agreed to it [According to some comments that I read, Casper said the he doesn't normally play doubles, but the two of them have a friendly relationship, so he said yes.  I suspect though that he was also delighted and honored to be ask by the King of Clay in his final year of playing tennis.].  They won their first round.  You can watch the highlights here:

*He'll be playing doubles in the Olympics with Carlos Alcaraz.

Rafa is also going to play singles there; I'll have to check the daily schedule.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Nadal will be up soon (the earlier match finished about 5 minutes ago).  He'll be playing the Swede *Leo Borg.  If you get the Tennis Channel here in the US, they will be showing it.

*Leo is Bjorn Borg's son.

PD

[LKB]

Nadal will be up soon (the earlier match finished about 5 minutes ago).  He'll be playing the Swede *Leo Borg.  If you get the Tennis Channel here in the US, they will be showing it.

*Leo is Bjorn Borg's son.

PD

I'll miss Rafa. Without him and Federer, only Alcaraz really interests me ( particularly if he can continue to frustrate Djokovic  ).

As for Borg the younger, l've not seen him. He lost to Rafa, but he's only 21 and should certainly have at least some of his legendary dad's talent. Hopefully  he'll make Papa proud.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'll miss Rafa. Without him and Federer, only Alcaraz really interests me ( particularly if he can continue to frustrate Djokovic  ).

As for Borg the younger, l've not seen him. He lost to Rafa, but he's only 21 and should certainly have at least some of his legendary dad's talent. Hopefully  he'll make Papa proud.

I'll miss Rafa too.  FYI, he and Casper Ruud will be playing in doubles (2nd round) in a bit today.  I was surprised to see that Casper was knocked out of the singles today (by a Brazilian player that I don't know anything about).

Regarding Leo, here's his career info from the ATP website:

"(UPDATED 6 NOVEMBER 2021)

> Youngest player in Stockholm main draw is making his ATP Tour main draw debut and in his last junior tournament in Cape Town, RSA on 30 October reached the final.
> Has played in 5 Futures events (1-5 record), earning 1st ATP point in Antalya, TUR in May with 2R result. Also played in 4 Challengers (0-4), losing in 1R in Marbella, ESP; Tampere, FIN; Poznan, POL; and Warsaw, POL.
> Received qualifying WC in ATP Tour events in Marbella and Bastad and lost in 1R both times.
> Has played in Wimbledon juniors qualifying draw in 2019 (1R) and main draw in 2021 (2R). Also played in Roland Garros juniors this year, reaching 3R. Lost in 1R at US Open juniors.
> In February won Porto Alegre, BRA title as a qualifier and following month reached final in Santo Domingo, DOM.
> Began this season by winning San Jose, CRC juniors title, beating four Americans in final four rounds.
> Won Tel Aviv juniors title at the end of 2019. "

There's also more current info here:  https://www.atptour.com/en/players/leo-borg/b0jg/player-activity?matchType=Singles&year=2024&tournament=all

They haven't yet posted the results from Bastad there.  He fought a respectable battle against Rafa.

Hopefully, he'll continue to progress. 

Hot and sticky again here, so I'll be staying in my living room as much as possible!

Singles match just finished, so I expect that Rafa and Casper will be on court fairly soon.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Nadal still alive in Båstad beating the British and fellow leftie Cameron Norrie (6-4, 6-4).  He's now into the quarter finals there in singles (as well as still alive in the doubles with the Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud).

PD

[LKB]

This comes from the " Why I miss Federer " folder.

At 1:54 he makes a shot I've never seen from anyone else, anywhere, in fifty years of watching tennis.

https://youtu.be/sp6LpqPOENc?si=njHXwo7QVrPLRmJX

[Pohjolas Daughter]

This comes from the " Why I miss Federer " folder.

At 1:54 he makes a shot I've never seen from anyone else, anywhere, in fifty years of watching tennis.

https://youtu.be/sp6LpqPOENc?si=njHXwo7QVrPLRmJX

I miss Federer too.  Tons of great shots from the Maestro.   

Currently, I'm watching Nadal playing an Argentinian player named Navone (ranked No. 36.  How does someone get up that high and I've never heard of him?  Boy, I'm getting old!).  Rafa was down 4-1 in the first set.  I went out to make some coffee and it was almost even.  Now, Rafa's ahead 6-5 and it's 40-all with Navone serving.

PD

[LKB]

I miss Federer too.  Tons of great shots from the Maestro. 

Currently, I'm watching Nadal playing an Argentinian player named Navone (ranked No. 36.  How does someone get up that high and I've never heard of him?  Boy, I'm getting old!).  Rafa was down 4-1 in the first set.  I went out to make some coffee and it was almost even.  Now, Rafa's ahead 6-5 and it's 40-all with Navone serving.

PD

It's what makes Rafa, Rafa: He won't give up.

Just like my original tennis " hero ", who inspired me to take up the sport in my teens...

https://youtu.be/rNlGlhRB5C4?si=YgwxFOwODMb6-yyb

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It's what makes Rafa, Rafa: He won't give up.

Just like my original tennis " hero ", who inspired me to take up the sport in my teens...

https://youtu.be/rNlGlhRB5C4?si=YgwxFOwODMb6-yyb

Cool! 

He unfortunately lost the first set in the tiebreak.  He's now up 2-0 in the second.  You can follow the live score here:  https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/current/bastad/316/live-scores

Make that 3-0! 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Wow, that was quite the up and down match!  Almost 4 hours!  Wonder how he'll recover from it?  And he's scheduled to play two matches tomorrow (singles and doubles).

PD

[LKB]

Wow, that was quite the up and down match!  Almost 4 hours!  Wonder how he'll recover from it?  And he's scheduled to play two matches tomorrow (singles and doubles).

PD

Rafa has been about as fit as anyone who ever held a raquet, aside from injuries. I've no doubt he'll be ready tomorrow, though he'll undoubtedly be feeling it.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Rafa has been about as fit as anyone who ever held a raquet, aside from injuries. I've no doubt he'll be ready tomorrow, though he'll undoubtedly be feeling it.

He's also quite a bit older than most of his opponents and with a lot more wear and tear on his body.  Do you know about the pain management treatments that he has had for his feet?

PD

[LKB]

He's also quite a bit older than most of his opponents and with a lot more wear and tear on his body.  Do you know about the pain management treatments that he has had for his feet?

PD

No, l don't.

But if he's in the last year of his career, he'll want every last match. He'll manage his pain... and hopefully some victories, as well.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

No, l don't.

But if he's in the last year of his career, he'll want every last match. He'll manage his pain... and hopefully some victories, as well.

https://en.as.com/other_sports/what-is-muller-weiss-syndrome-rafa-nadals-chronic-injury-in-his-left-foot-n/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/06/07/rafael-nadals-extreme-remedy-troublesome-foot-divides-medics/

PD

[LKB]

The remainder of the U.S. Open will be more interesting than expected, both Alcaraz and Djokovic are already out...

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/crkm8gr3ey7o