Haha, great description. Listen, it's not that I don't enjoy their matchup — that RG final was unreal — it's just that I also crave some variety, mystery, shock, and awe! And I thought the Wimbledon final was fairly meh, so they're not all going to be gangbusters. I'd just love to see a few guys break through every now and then to spice things up, and I worry that's not happening anytime soon.
Bored by the constant hype trying to force everyone into this stupid sincaraz mindset. Rothenberg gets so excited that he insists they should hold the first four rounds via email. How rude is that? No wonder most of the guys are disillusioned and angry
it was a double bagel, not bagel and breadstick! i think we’re lucky to see such talented players face off— it feels a little early to say we’re bored when we got the greatest final in recent memory just a few months ago! anyway i think it’s really an indictment of the rest of the field, but totally agree that i wouldn’t mind if djokovic shifted his focus away from slams!
100% agree with the boredom on the men’s side. The difference to me is Sinner and Alcaraz are not super compelling characters. Sinner has the personality of a baked potato and his interviews reflect it. Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic all had their own brand of charisma and smart brand partnerships that, it’s worth mentioning, weren’t afraid to lean into sex appeal (Nadal’s Armani campaign and his appearance in a steamy Shakira video come to mind). Plus, Nadal and Federer always had custom Nike kits and it was fun to see what they’d be wearing.
Anisimova was my favorite part of this tournament and I am so excited for her that she beat both Swiatek and Osaka, considering the commentators could not shut up about her demoralizing Wimbledon loss. I can’t wait to see what her future holds!
CRYING over baked potato 😭 I think you’re spot on about the personality differences. Alcaraz is becoming more interesting as time goes on but Sinner is the human equivalent of “go girl give us nothing.”
I agree about the tepid characters of the current crop. But if anyone shows an ounce of charisma they get condemned as kyrgioesque. And nobody wants to be fun and daring and hated and loved do they
Wholly agree with FAA and Anisimova being highlights this year. I’m not bored of Sinner/Alcaraz yet because it’s always fun to see the best compete (and they are ~by far~ the best). Nike thinking Osaka could be the next Serena is kind of a crazy sentence (no one is the next Serena, just like no one is the next MJ/Tiger), but I love that at least one athlete is getting to show their personality in their fits. I didn’t see any other standout Nike looks and was tired of the sameness of Y-3 by the end of the tournament, so I’m curious to see where the big brands go next.
Hey, hey what’s your take on the Mixed f#%$-up? I’m preparing an article on the issue and trying to spot a pattern — trading competitive integrity for more eyeballs.
Well, I hate to be that girl, but I see bOtH siDeS (sorry, sorry) — on the one hand, joke's on the tournament because the real doubles players won, and many of the singles vs. singles pairings weren't that compelling. On the other hand, I do understand it as a smart business move, but I think it would make more sense to have two mixed doubles events (one that's more of an exho with money for the singles player and one that's for legit doubles players and awards a Grand Slam trophy).
Agree. But then the true doubles should remain the main mixed act of the Open tournament, since its ambition is to let the best couples win. You can always make an exho event additionally… and even in a significantly better way.
Bored by Sincaraz? What??!
Mathematical steel Bambi on ice vs Artist Matador Golden Retriever energy make for gladiatorial combat events I cannot look away from.
Just feel a bit sorry for some of the Lost Gen who seem to be publically losing their marbles lately (Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Rune…)
FAA, Musetti and Cobolli are talents to get behind for certain.
Haha, great description. Listen, it's not that I don't enjoy their matchup — that RG final was unreal — it's just that I also crave some variety, mystery, shock, and awe! And I thought the Wimbledon final was fairly meh, so they're not all going to be gangbusters. I'd just love to see a few guys break through every now and then to spice things up, and I worry that's not happening anytime soon.
Bored by the constant hype trying to force everyone into this stupid sincaraz mindset. Rothenberg gets so excited that he insists they should hold the first four rounds via email. How rude is that? No wonder most of the guys are disillusioned and angry
it was a double bagel, not bagel and breadstick! i think we’re lucky to see such talented players face off— it feels a little early to say we’re bored when we got the greatest final in recent memory just a few months ago! anyway i think it’s really an indictment of the rest of the field, but totally agree that i wouldn’t mind if djokovic shifted his focus away from slams!
Gah, thanks for the catch! 🙏🏻
100% agree with the boredom on the men’s side. The difference to me is Sinner and Alcaraz are not super compelling characters. Sinner has the personality of a baked potato and his interviews reflect it. Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic all had their own brand of charisma and smart brand partnerships that, it’s worth mentioning, weren’t afraid to lean into sex appeal (Nadal’s Armani campaign and his appearance in a steamy Shakira video come to mind). Plus, Nadal and Federer always had custom Nike kits and it was fun to see what they’d be wearing.
Anisimova was my favorite part of this tournament and I am so excited for her that she beat both Swiatek and Osaka, considering the commentators could not shut up about her demoralizing Wimbledon loss. I can’t wait to see what her future holds!
CRYING over baked potato 😭 I think you’re spot on about the personality differences. Alcaraz is becoming more interesting as time goes on but Sinner is the human equivalent of “go girl give us nothing.”
I agree about the tepid characters of the current crop. But if anyone shows an ounce of charisma they get condemned as kyrgioesque. And nobody wants to be fun and daring and hated and loved do they
Wholly agree with FAA and Anisimova being highlights this year. I’m not bored of Sinner/Alcaraz yet because it’s always fun to see the best compete (and they are ~by far~ the best). Nike thinking Osaka could be the next Serena is kind of a crazy sentence (no one is the next Serena, just like no one is the next MJ/Tiger), but I love that at least one athlete is getting to show their personality in their fits. I didn’t see any other standout Nike looks and was tired of the sameness of Y-3 by the end of the tournament, so I’m curious to see where the big brands go next.
Hey, hey what’s your take on the Mixed f#%$-up? I’m preparing an article on the issue and trying to spot a pattern — trading competitive integrity for more eyeballs.
Well, I hate to be that girl, but I see bOtH siDeS (sorry, sorry) — on the one hand, joke's on the tournament because the real doubles players won, and many of the singles vs. singles pairings weren't that compelling. On the other hand, I do understand it as a smart business move, but I think it would make more sense to have two mixed doubles events (one that's more of an exho with money for the singles player and one that's for legit doubles players and awards a Grand Slam trophy).
Agree. But then the true doubles should remain the main mixed act of the Open tournament, since its ambition is to let the best couples win. You can always make an exho event additionally… and even in a significantly better way.