OT: US Open Tennis

[Stinger92860]

I am looking at todays schedule and I’d rather see Gauff-Keys in prime time vs Williams-Tomljanovic. Just my opinion but the Serena goodbye tour is a bit too much. Last night was embarrassing and the USTA did a disservice to the Williams sisters. How well Noskova and Hradecka played was impressive considering that over 23K fans were rooting against them. However, they are unlikely to move further in the draw imo. That said, Serena can still win the tournament, as can another dozen Women’s players. It’s wide open again.

 

[Cuango]

I’m always entertained by our sports media’s predictability. When the tournament first started, this was essentially a “goodbye” to the fans after a great career. She (Serena) was expected to win two or three matches and then ride off into the sunset. However, now that she has beaten one highly ranked player, she has suddenly morphed into the Serena of old and is now a favorite to win the title. Color me doubtful. This (so far) is exactly the pattern we’ve seen for the last five years. Since her last Grand Slam title in 2017 (Australian Open) she has been unable to string together enough good matches to emerge with the elusive final win. Father Time is (and will always be) undefeated! She tends to play two or three fair to good matches and then throws in a clunker and gets beat. Perhaps this time she can avoid the clunker (or at least have the good fortune of surviving it). Certainly, if she can reach the semis, all bets are off. She may be able to reach back to her storied past and win one for the ages. What a story that would be!

 

[cancontent]

It's definitely predictable, but that's how sports television is. They did the same thing for Jimmy Connors in the early 90s. It worked out well as it was a great run until the semi-finals that fans got to enjoy.

Based on Serena's play in previous events in preparation for the US Open, she didn't look like she would get out of the first round. Both Evert and McEnroe have commented that she's moving a lot better which makes a difference.

Personally, I don't have a problem with these games being put on during the evening. It's a great draw for the tournament to get people in the stands. Considering what both Serena and Venus have done for the game, they've earned this treatment.

 

[eebmg]

Coco Gauff a very easy straight set over Madison Keys 6-2 6-3. Gauff's ground strokes were alot more consistent than prior tournaments and her defense and court coverage first class. Keys very disappointing doing little with all her natural gifts.

 

[Plebe]

I am looking at todays schedule and I’d rather see Gauff-Keys in prime time vs Williams-Tomljanovic. Just my opinion but the Serena goodbye tour is a bit too much. Last night was embarrassing and the USTA did a disservice to the Williams sisters. How well Noskova and Hradecka played was impressive considering that over 23K fans were rooting against them. However, they are unlikely to move further in the draw imo. That said, Serena can still win the tournament, as can another dozen Women’s players. It’s wide open again.

Lol I can guarantee you that any of Serena's matches in this tournament will pull in many times the viewership of a Gauff-Keys match. That's the driving factor behind the selection of night matches.

I don't see what was embarrassing about the doubles match last night. Venus and Serena are both over 40 years old, well past their primes, and hadn't played any doubles in several years. They were hardly the clear favorites. And besides, win or lose, it's about ratings.

Serena delivers another big audience with second round thriller

Pulling a dramatic upset of the #2 seed in night two of her farewell tour, Serena Williams delivered another big audience for ESPN.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I just posted that Geno’s at the Open right now watching Serena playing Tomljonovic. I’m sitting two rows behind him. Lol

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[Woof 101]

I just posted that Geno’s at the Open right now watching Serena playing Tomljonovic. I’m sitting two rows behind him. Lol

Hmmmm .... so you are one of the many they put the camera on looking at your phone rather than the court.

 

[Mdoggie]

I just posted that Geno’s at the Open right now watching Serena playing Tomljonovic. I’m sitting two rows behind him. Lol

Can you tell him to go hard press on Justė Jocytė. That is all.

 

[socal613ws]

guess tennis talk is over lol

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Lol I can guarantee you that any of Serena's matches in this tournament will pull in many times the viewership of a Gauff-Keys match. That's the driving factor behind the selection of night matches.

I don't see what was embarrassing about the doubles match last night. Venus and Serena are both over 40 years old, well past their primes, and hadn't played any doubles in several years. They were hardly the clear favorites. And besides, win or lose, it's about ratings.

Serena delivers another big audience with second round thriller

Pulling a dramatic upset of the #2 seed in night two of her farewell tour, Serena Williams delivered another big audience for ESPN.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

I was impressed by that 17 year old Czech girl in the doubles match. Her serve and her forehand were very difficult to handle by either of the Williams sisters. I’m sure we will see her playing singles next year.

 

[Plebe]

I was impressed by that 17 year old Czech girl in the doubles match. Her serve and her forehand were very difficult to handle by either of the Williams sisters. I’m sure we will see her playing singles next year.

Noskova is definitely on the rise. Won the 2021 French Open junior title and I believe just cracked the top 100 in singles. She made the main draw through qualifying but lost in the first round to a top 50 player.

Hradecka is an experienced and highly ranked doubles specialist (top 25 I believe, but formerly top 5) and is a savvy veteran at 37.

 

[Dogstar]

I am looking at todays schedule and I’d rather see Gauff-Keys in prime time vs Williams-Tomljanovic. Just my opinion but the Serena goodbye tour is a bit too much. Last night was embarrassing and the USTA did a disservice to the Williams sisters. How well Noskova and Hradecka played was impressive considering that over 23K fans were rooting against them. However, they are unlikely to move further in the draw imo. That said, Serena can still win the tournament, as can another dozen Women’s players. It’s wide open again.

Hmmm..if Tom Brady was playing his last game with a chance to go out on top would you thk it was too much? How abt MJ, LeBron , Jeter, or Tiger, would you say the same thg? G.O.A.T s don't come along often and I consider myself lucky to have witnessed greatness and not have to rely on flashbacks and film to cement those memories in my mind. I've watched her entrance into the sport as a teen, grow and mature into a woman, persevere as an champion, and leave as a role model and an ambassador of the sport, and enjoyed every minute of it. Good Luck in ur future endeavors Serena and thks for the memories.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It's never a good look for an aging star (or superstar) to hang around years after father time came knocking at her door.

 

[Plebe]

It's never a good look for an aging star (or superstar) to hang around years after father time came knocking at her door.

I don't understand this perspective.

Serena is a tennis player and has been her whole life. As long as she wants to play and is good enough to gain entrance into a tournament, I fail to see how she's giving herself a bad "look."

She beat the #2 ranked player in the world in the 2nd round. Just because she doesn't win the tournament doesn't mean it was a mistake to play. I don't understand this compulsion to usher a superstar out the door just because she's longer at her peak.

 

[cancontent]

I don't understand this perspective.

Serena is a tennis player and has been her whole life. As long as she wants to play and is good enough to gain entrance into a tournament, I fail to see how she's giving herself a bad "look."

She beat the #2 ranked player in the world in the 2nd round. Just because she doesn't win the tournament doesn't mean it was a mistake to play. I don't understand this compulsion to usher a superstar out the door just because she's longer at her peak.

Agreed. I'm also not aware of anyone on the tennis circuit who came back after having a child. Managing that in addition to keeping in shape to compete at the age of 40? Many of us struggle with that and don't have to compete against players half their age or younger.

 

[Plebe]

Agreed. I'm also not aware of anyone on the tennis circuit who came back after having a child. Managing that in addition to keeping in shape to compete at the age of 40? Many of us struggle with that and don't have to compete against players half their age or younger.

Quite a few have done it. It's not the norm but hardly unprecedented.

Azarenka had a child and has still competed at a high level since then (and is currently in excellent form at the US Open, just dominated her 3rd round match).

Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980 after becoming a mom.

Kim Clijsters "retired" at age 23 to start a family, then "unretired" and won the US Open two more times in 2009 and 2010.

Just a few examples that come to mind right away.

 

[cancontent]

Quite a few have done it. It's not the norm but hardly unprecedented.

Azarenka had a child and has still competed at a high level since then (and is currently in excellent form at the US Open, just dominated her 3rd round match).

Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980 after becoming a mom.

Kim Clijsters "retired" at age 23 to start a family, then "unretired" and won the US Open two more times in 2009 and 2010.

Just a few examples that come to mind right away.

Appreciate this thank you. Still shows that it's not easy to do at a high level in my opinion.

 

[eebmg]

Coco Gauff with excellent match fighting back in both sets for a 7-5 7-5 win over Zhang. What a competitor with the drive to get better and better. Her ground strokes have already improved so much in the last 6 months with both sides steady and her serve is more varied. And her court coverage is insane.

The clear heir apparent to Serena.

 

[trb123]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Venus and Serena Williams in an interview to <a href="https://twitter.com/TransWorldSport?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@TransWorldSport</a> many years ago ❤️ <a href="https://post original url/zpPp5Tfx4Y">pic.twitter.com/zpPp5Tfx4Y</a></p>&mdash; Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) <a href="">September 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Mdoggie]

Coco Gauff with excellent match fighting back in both sets for a 7-5 7-5 win over Zhang. What a competitor with the drive to get better and better. Her ground strokes have already improved so much in the last 6 months with both sides steady and her serve is more varied. And her court coverage is insane.

The clear heir apparent to Serena.

Yep clear as 23 majors to none. What makes her the heir apparent? Serious question.

 

[eebmg]

Yep clear as 23 majors to none. What makes her the heir apparent? Serious question.

Well, I think my use of heir apparent means something different to me and does not require Coco to match her with 23 majors. I am using that term mainly as a statement that she will fill Serena's shoes as the most accomplished and clear leader of the US contingent and win multiple Grand slams. (She made the French Final) and not be among the more recent shooting stars that fizzle out.

I just see in her an intense drive to get better and actually enjoys the challenge of getting better. She has world class stable coaching (from the Serena camp) and is just 18 (a little older than Serena's first open) . She continues to improve dramatically with her ground strokes now very solid from both wings and a more diverse serve and is perhaps the fastest player on court who really likes to defend. Perhaps most important, she does not seem overwhelmed by success or popularity (Like Naomi seems to be) so I will guess she will have a very long and accomplished career. While I will not predict 23 grand slams I will guess > 5

The one thing I think she needs to improve is to be more aggressive and seems to have the trait that all great defensive players have which is the impulse to play safe and wait for the opponent to make the mistake. I think this mind set (taken to extreme) continues to hinder Sloane Stephens

 

[OldSchooler]

It's never a good look for an aging star (or superstar) to hang around years after father time came knocking at her door.

Think Joe Louis.

 

[Forego]

Quite a few have done it. It's not the norm but hardly unprecedented.

Azarenka had a child and has still competed at a high level since then (and is currently in excellent form at the US Open, just dominated her 3rd round match).

Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980 after becoming a mom.

Kim Clijsters "retired" at age 23 to start a family, then "unretired" and won the US Open two more times in 2009 and 2010.

Just a few examples that come to mind right away.

Margaret Court also won a number of majors after becoming a mom. There were also one or two others back in the long dress era whose names currently escape me. But they were all a lot younger than Serena when they made their return.

 

[Blakeon18]

FWI: don't bet against Serena coming back.


She was asked about that possibility at her post-match presser and suggested that she 'loves'
Australia...the first major next year. She has commented that she is 'evolving' from tennis and doesn't like even the word
'retirement'.