The 2014 In Between Grand Slam Thread

yerwanthere123

Wimbledon increase their prize money by more than 10%. Ridiculous. Why not give more money to the guys on the challenger/futures tour?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Wimbledon increase their prize money by more than 10%. Ridiculous. Why not give more money to the guys on the challenger/futures tour?

The Grand Slams are separate to the tour events. The guys running Wimbledon have nothing to do with the challengers or futures.

yerwanthere123

Oh. Ok. Still, I just hate the rich getting richer when the guys lower down can barely break even.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Oh. Ok. Still, I just hate the rich getting richer when the guys lower down can barely break even.

Well they have spread the increase out so the guys losing the early rounds and even in qualifiers will get a bit more than they did before. It's the best they can do really.

yerwanthere123

Yay, McGee has made the cut for RG qualies

Meanwhile, Richard Williams has got a book coming out. I'd say it'd be a good read, if not entirely factual.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Yay, McGee has made the cut for RG qualies

Meanwhile, Richard Williams has got a book coming out. I'd say it'd be a good read, if not entirely factual.

I saw someone mention that book and said it was mostly about his own life growing up and had very little about pro tennis in it.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Djokovic is now out of Madrid.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Very sad news about Elena Baltacha. She lost her battle with liver cancer this morning. Only diagnosed a few months ago. 30 years of age, so sad.

Itssoeasy

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Very sad news about Elena Baltacha. She lost her battle with liver cancer this morning. Only diagnosed a few months ago. 30 years of age, so sad.

Yeah just say it there. Jesus cancer is an awful **** of a disease and thirty is no age to die. RIP

Beasty

She only finished playing last year, and to be taken so young is just tragic.

yerwanthere123

Worrying times for Novak. I sincerely doubt he can win RG now. Hope it's not another Nadal stroll to the trophy.

Pleasantly surprised Sharapova won so easily against Koukalova.

yerwanthere123

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Very sad news about Elena Baltacha. She lost her battle with liver cancer this morning. Only diagnosed a few months ago. 30 years of age, so sad.

Oh my good god. That's devastating news. Absolutely horrible.

RosyLily

Such a shock! She was only diagnosed a few months ago. I seen her play at Wimbledon a few years back - she fought til the very end of the match as I'm sure she did in life. Really wish Elena got to spend time enjoying retirement with her husband.

Just awful. RIP Bally

yerwanthere123

The diagnosis was only made public less than two months ago. She didn't even live to see the 'Rally for Bally', due to be held on June 15th. Truly sobering news, and absolutely horrific.

the_monkey

Wrist injuries are pretty serious, look at Del Potro - career over over a wrist injury.

I fear the same for Novak -

Mind you, I predicted months ago that the Australian Open 2013 would be (IS) his last slam .

Shame ..

RosyLily

Federer has pulled out of Madrid to be with Mirka before the birth. She's due very soon apparently. Might throw some doubt over Fed's French Open.

the_monkey

RosyLily wrote: »

Federer has pulled out of Madrid to be with Mirka before the birth. She's due very soon apparently. Might throw some doubt over Fed's French Open.

Oh no ... Cos he doesn't have enough slams allready ??

who the hell is he doing it for now anyway ?

He has 2 kids and a 3rd about to arrive ... spend some time with your family man and stop having some maid bring up your kids...

RosyLily

He plays because he loves the game. He's said it countless times in interviews.

the_monkey

RosyLily wrote: »

He plays because he loves the game. He's said it countless times in interviews.

So did Sampras , but he quit while on top and with a baby boy to spend time with .
Federer and his wife are selfish , sure the wife is always at his matches - who's bringing up their kids ?

mickmackey1

will you ever just p*ss off :rolleyes:

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Twins Leo and Lenny born this evening. Now they have 4 kids to neglect.

yerwanthere123

the_monkey wrote: »

So did Sampras , but he quit while on top and with a baby boy to spend time with .
Federer and his wife are selfish , sure the wife is always at his matches - who's bringing up their kids ?

You know absolutely nothing about their childcare arrangements so stop talking crap

RosyLily

Flowers and balloons are on the way to the Federers, courtesy of all on the forum. :pac:

Mayweather vs Maidana

There's gonna be some serious Federer tennis domination in 20 years time. Singles, doubles, mixed doubles!

yerwanthere123

RosyLily

Imagine!! Anyone taking bets on at least one of the Federer Four winning a GS?:pac:

yerwanthere123

You never know though, their kids mightn't get involved in tennis at all. Sure didn't Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi pointedly ensure their kids didn't get involved in tennis? It's fun to speculate all the same.

RosyLily

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

You never know though, their kids mightn't get involved in tennis at all. Sure didn't Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi pointedly ensure their kids didn't get involved in tennis? It's fun to speculate all the same.

I would love to see if the Graf-assi kids can play.

RosyLily

Tragic story: James Blake's home in Florida burnt to the ground; 3 bodies were found inside. Blake was not inside the house. Rumour has it, they died from gunshot wounds to the head and a 4th victim is unconfirmed.

pconn062

RosyLily wrote: »

Tragic story: James Blake's home in Florida burnt to the ground; 3 bodies were found inside. Blake was not inside the house. Rumour has it, they died from gunshot wounds to the head and a 4th victim is unconfirmed.

WTF?????

RosyLily

It's a weird one alright. According to CBSSports, James was renting out the house. I seen the photos of the house - completely gutted!!:(

RosyLily

This story gets more tragic. 4 people were shot and fireworks were found in the house. Police believe the fire was set on purpose. They haven't said it was a murder-suicide though. Local media have named the family that died. So sad.

yerwanthere123

Good to see Sharapova battling her way past a tough Madrid draw. I don't think she'll have many problems with Radwanska today. A final against Simona Halep would be very interesting indeed, particularly so as these two could bump into each other at RG.

A bit worried for Serena right now.

Also, Nishikori has cracked the top ten!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Maria strolls into the final in Madrid. You can't see her losing to Halep... but then again, you never know

EDIT: Maria's clay stats are now.... 45 wins a row on clay vs players not named Serena—11 Top-10 wins, 21 Top-20 wins, 34 Top-50 wins. Only 1 win over a player outside Top-100.

RosyLily

Impressive stuff!! Looking forward to Halep-Sharapova...has the potential to be a great match. Hate that BTSports now has women's tennis though!!!:mad:

Johnmb

RosyLily wrote: »

Impressive stuff!! Looking forward to Halep-Sharapova...has the potential to be a great match. Hate that BTSports now has women's tennis though!!!:mad:

Tennistv.com is your friend. Commentary isn't great, but they show all the big non-slam events, and lots of smaller tournaments too, men's and ladies. I've never regretted my subscription.

WaterLily.

Very disappointing for Nishikori tonight, he was playing so well and completely dominating for the first set and the start of the second. He is definitely a top 5 player in the making.

But then again, that's sport. Sometimes you lose when you deserve to win and vice versa. Also, Rafa's injury during the final in Australia cost him the opportunity to compete properly and now the same thing has happened to his opponent in a final. Things tend to even out eventually.

Hopefully Nishikori will bounce back and the injury isn't too serious, it would make Rolland Garros so exciting if we had lots of proper contenders this year I loved watching Nadal's comeback last year but I'm also so glad this year is throwing up so many upsets, it makes such a nice change from the usual suspects sweeping up absolutely everything!

yerwanthere123

Great stuff from Sharapova yesterday. I doubt many thought she might actually gain points from the clay court season. Given she's only defending QF points in Rome and the fact Vika probably won't play RG, Sharapova should be safe for a top 8 seed in Paris. Surely if she avoids Serena she'll be the one to beat in Paris?

Terrible loss for Bouchard to Schiavone in Rome! I know Francesca likes the clay but she's been on the wane for quite some time, and has only won about 2 or 3 matches this year.

the_monkey

WaterLily. wrote: »

Very disappointing for Nishikori tonight, he was playing so well and completely dominating for the first set and the start of the second. He is definitely a top 5 player in the making.

But then again, that's sport. Sometimes you lose when you deserve to win and vice versa. Also, Rafa's injury during the final in Australia cost him the opportunity to compete properly and now the same thing has happened to his opponent in a final. Things tend to even out eventually.

Hopefully Nishikori will bounce back and the injury isn't too serious, it would make Rolland Garros so exciting if we had lots of proper contenders this year I loved watching Nadal's comeback last year but I'm also so glad this year is throwing up so many upsets, it makes such a nice change from the usual suspects sweeping up absolutely everything!

Injury ?

smurfs5

Always love watching Simon play and he really pushed Rafa tonight. I remember seeing him play at Wimbledon a few years ago and I've been a fan of him ever since - hopefully he can get back into the Top 20 soon.

WaterLily.

Have been waiting such a long time for this!!! Finally, Rafa v Andy on Friday

Floppybits

WaterLily. wrote: »

Have been waiting such a long time for this!!! Finally, Rafa v Andy on Friday

I can't wait for this as well and what'd even better I will be at the match.:)

RosyLily

Can't believe they last played each other in 2011!!:eek: Loads has changed since then. Hoping for a great match!

mickmackey1

With respect what has Murray ever achieved against Nadal on clay... Rafa's going to smash him.

yerwanthere123

I fear Andy will be steamrolled Hope he can make a match of it.

Disappointing and slightly concerning that Maria lost to Ana, first time losing on clay to someone other than Serena since 2011! Didn't see the match but I'm guessing/hoping she was a bit sluggish after winning Madrid? Terrific for Ana though, wins over both Serena and Maria this year.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Ana was actually very good. She pushed Maria in Stuttgart too, so not too bug an upset.
I think it's good in a way for Maria to get a few extra days off. The seedings for RG are made after Rome so in that respect a few more wins probably wouldn't have hurt Maria's cause but all in all I'm not too upset.

smurfs5

Very enjoyable match between Ferrer and Novak earlier.

I also feel Andy will struggle a bit and I expect Rafa to win but it's just good to see them playing each other after so long - hopefully it'll be a reasonably close contest.

Floppybits

mickmackey1 wrote: »

With respect what has Murray ever achieved against Nadal on clay... Rafa's going to smash him.

Andy put it up to Rafa tonight. Was a great match to be at. Andy is just short of full fitness but I expect he will be fully fit for the grass part if the season.:)

mickmackey1

Surprisingly good by Murray, but will be disappointed not to have held on from 4-2 in the third.

Rjd2

I know their is other sport, but its crap that Sky do not have the semi finals on tv today:mad: