Ajla Tomljanović vs America

[PaulP]

I just presented a series of facts that the American correspondent chose to ignore in her article, she spent the whole time talking about how easy it was for Court without considering the other side of that coin. I have no doubt that there was less competition back in Court's day, and the Australian Open of the early 60's was far less prestigious and challenging than it is today. 

But just as we Bluebaggers are happy to count VFL premiership cups won near the start of the 20th century in our trophy cabinet, so too will the records always show that Court has one more Grand Slam than Serena.

And we all know Serena would have wiped Court off the court - but in the same comparison, an AFL side of today would run rings around our 1970 premiership team.  It doesn't make the heroics of that group any less impressive either.  You can only beat the best that is thrown up against you when you are playing - any other comparison is inherently flawed.

I pretty much agree. The GOAT discussion across different eras is kind of silly, but that hasn't stopped people in the past and it won't stop them in the future. There are advantages and disadvantages for players then as now. Both Court and Serena achieved amazing things on court. I personally think it's hard to split them - both physically strong, powerful women who were top practitioners of their craft and who dominated whatever was in front of them. Their slam records are nearly identical. I'd call it even.

[Gointocarlton]

I pretty much agree. The GOAT discussion across different eras is kind of silly, but that hasn't stopped people in the past and it won't stop them in the future. There are advantages and disadvantages for players then as now. Both Court and Serena achieved amazing things on court. I personally think it's hard to split them - both physically strong, powerful women who were top practitioners of their craft and who dominated whatever was in front of them. Their slam records are nearly identical. I'd call it even.

Spot on Pauly. Lots of factors across eras. racket technology, ball technology, sports science, strength and conditioning technology, diet/hydration. The list goes on.

[PaulP]

Spot on Pauly. Lots of factors across eras. racket technology, ball technology, sports science, strength and conditioning technology, diet/hydration. The list goes on.

Yep. I should also add, that if you do a google search for a Williams v Court comparison, all the "experts" (tennis journalists, ex players etc.) that I have found give the nod to Serena, usually prefacing their articles / statements with the caveat that such comparisons are a little suss.

[PaulP]

Strictly speaking, this isn't a US Open thread, but Kyrgios has just blown Medvedev off the court. Hopefully the new improved Nick is permanent. He was seriously impressive. Mods please move this post if required.

[Mav]

He’s still a bit combustible and still loves to throw in low-percentage plays every now and then. For example, not only did he do an underhand serve in at 40-0 in the 3rd set, it was an underhand serve he hit between his legs, a ‘tweener! Fortunately, it drifted wide for a fault as Medvedev was on to it and hit a cross-court winner off it. But that sort of unpredictable play was perfect against a chess player like Medvedev who will dominate a player who reliably plays the percentages like a Cobra hypnotising it’s prey.

[Mav]

And then there was this brain fade from Kyrgios: https://au.yahoo.com/sports/us-open-2022...15396.html

Apart from young kids, what tennis player would try to hit a winning volley off a ball that was going to be out by 2 metres? This could have been a critical blunder as it deprived him of a break point early in the 3rd (and Medvedev served out that game) but Kyrgios was able to rally and win the 3rd set anyway.

[PaulP]

He’s still a bit combustible and still loves to throw in low-percentage plays every now and then. For example, not only did he do an underhand serve in at 40-0 in the 3rd set, it was an underhand serve he hit between his legs, a ‘tweener! Fortunately, it drifted wide for a fault as Medvedev was on to it and hit a cross-court winner off it. But that sort of unpredictable play was perfect against a chess player like Medvedev who will dominate a player who reliably plays the percentages like a Cobra hypnotising it’s prey.

Yes, I'm not really a fan of those tactics. Without having the facts, I'd say that they backfire more than they work. I can appreciate it becomes a mental / focus issue for the other guy because you keep them second guessing, but I'm not really sure how effective they are tbh. I'd guess that Kyrgios can win without them.

[PaulP]

And then there was this brain fade from Kyrgios: https://au.yahoo.com/sports/us-open-2022...15396.html

Apart from young kids, what tennis player would try to hit a winning volley off a ball that was going to be out by 2 metres? This could have been a critical blunder as it deprived him of a break point early in the 3rd but Kyrgios was able to rally and break anyway.

There's no doubt that parts of his game still need work, mostly on the mental / discipline side.

[Thryleon]

Its ironic, but that same ability to do the unthinkable at the wrong moment is why he actually is able to beat a lot of opponents.  Predictable isn't in his repertoir.

[Mav]

Strangely enough, the brain fade when he hit the out ball was credited by tennis journos/commentators as driving his determination to win the set. Most players would lose focus as they dwelt on their stupidity and the lost opportunity. He finds his motivation in strange places.