Novak is kept out of Cinci and the US Open again thanks to CDC Vax Requirement Update

 Covid Vax Requirement Continues for the USA

Del Potro Retires - Injuries pile up - Can't accept life without tennis

I hope he finds a way past this in life beyond tennis competition. He'd be a great coach. He has the temperament needed to be effective.

 Del Potro

Alcaraz Snubs Nadal

 Alcaraz Snubs Nadal

Rublev in Tears after quarter Finals Loss

I've begun to wonder if the money riding on a match doesn't sometimes add to the emotional turmoil. I could see Rublev thinking about how he just lost at least $700k not making it to the semis. Maybe I'm projecting.

Alcaraz - US Open 2022

 US Open Instagram

Jack Broudy Tennis Interview with Roscoe Tanner

 Those of you who remember Roscoe from the '70s might enjoy this.

 

Raducanu - Injured Again - What to do.

She's on a bad track right now. She won a slam without all of that intense weight training, and now it seems unattainable to repeat as the injuries pile up. After reading all the superb constructive comments about her situation, the idea of following the most successful and least injured pros is a great plan. 

She might try Novak's old coach Marian Vajda. He could help create her recovery plan and limit the foolishness of heavy weight training and instead focus on flexibility, injury prevention, and resilience. This formula might offer a longer career path.

Will Novak Play the US Open 2022. The Ball is in the US Government's Court.

 Will Novak Play - Rand Paul Comments

Novak didn't Whine about the AO

 Novak

Mac slams Politicians for Interfering with Tennis- Let Novak In

 Mac on the US Ban

Tennis Rankings are a Mess - Let Novak. Play

The ATP, Wimbledon Officials, Australian Politicians, and finally, USA CDC; They've all contributed to screwing up Tennis Rankings and tournament participation by Tennis Players who only want to hit tennis balls, make their own health decisions, and not involve themselves in politics when it comes to tennis.

Let Novak Play - at the U.S. Open

Andreescu to meet Raducanu in Rome - wants to play her and got her wish

 Andreescu to meet Raducanu

Andreescu high ranking #4 with 3 titles and 1 slam- age 21

Raducanu high ranking #11 with 1 title and 1 slam - age 19

 

 

Tsitsipas on the three set change for Slam Events

 Tsitsi

Emma - 1st Billion Dollar British Sports Star?

 Billion Dollar Emma

 First she has to win another major.   This is a hope and may happen, but it's time for her to get to work.

 

 

Perspective on the Med win over Novak

 

This tweet from Zemek says it quite well.  Novak had a rough day after a superb year.  Losses happen.

Consider this as well.

If you've ever been jammed into an immediate follow up match by a tournament director while your opponent is rested, you know the issue.  I've had it happen to me twice in my youth.  In Novak's case, it is apparent that previous long matches took their toll that made full recovery in the time available very unlikely.

He was spent at the beginning. His legs looked dead. He tried various changes such as taking the net to make up for it, but to no avail. It wasn't going to be his day. 

 This happens to the best and has over the history of the sport. What I'm amazed at is the level of visceral hatred for Novak and the gloating that he lost. His playing record still indicates that he's one of the best ever and no matter the chatter, he's at least the equal of the other members of the Big 3. 

The Calendar year Grand Slam is a unique measure for men's tennis among many metrics and maybe it's meant to be so rare that only two men will hold it. It allows Laver to stand alone for his two CYGS making his lower numbers in other categories less reliable indicators. We know he was prevented from slam competition during much of his prime when he turned pro as were many other big names. Here is another take on what Med did. ATP Article. 

 I think all of the strategy available to Novak wouldn't have made up for lethargy.  He was below par and not admitting that means you weren't watching.

Novak isn't done for sure.   I expect him to win more events and more slams.   

Should Novak Retire if He wins Tonight?

Yes, a win tonight would confirm his position as the GOAT to many if not most tennis fans.  There are reasons to continue forward.  First, Novak doesn't seem motivated by money but for the records and the challenge to be the best.   Walking away now would always leave him and the rest of us wondering what could have been   

Second, to achieve this Grand Slam would give him more power within tennis to help shape the direction of the ATP and other aspects of player representation.  He cares about this based on his past efforts for player representation.

Third, you don't get this far without having a drive within you to keep pushing forward.  It's not like Sampras where he seemed finished and then came back to prove himself, and then retired when he did.  Novak is still at the very top and hasn't been displaced.  I suspect he'll wait for that time.

Finally,  I don't think he'll retire post win, nor do I think he should. Always finish the job. One slam past Fed and Rafa isn't absolute. Rafa is like a movie character that always comes back to life. Don't turn your back on him when he's on the ground face down. It means nothing.

Novak Djokovic - GOAT?

 What he said. I can't think of any time in the past that one player can qualify for this description of total dominance across all surfaces in men's tennis at any given time except Novak Djokovic. If he wins the Calendar year Grand Slam his position as the GOAT is confirmed.

Evert on Osaka

Finding a Safe Space 

Novak - the most dominant player of the last decade

 The numbers prove it.   More wins combined than Fed and Rafa.

This is the best way to measure dominance rather than a popularity contest.