Talk About Tennis 2.0

JazzNU wrote: ↑Fri Jul 08, 2022 1:55 am

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 08, 2022 12:50 am I am so undecided in that issue. We allow LL's in the first round. But I see Andy's point.
I guess we have to accept these things as the nature of the sport.

But qualifying is basically considered to be a different tournament from the main draw, which is why they have their own bracket and it's not tied to the main draw other than winning 3 rounds gets you a spot in it. When LL are placed in the main draw, the main tournament has yet to begin, it's locked once it does. First Round are keywords there imo.

This is precisely the reason why it is a false analogy

In my opinion there should be no lucky losers allowed into the draw. Whether it be in the 1st round or whatever. You lose a match, you should be done in the tournament. Whether that be in the qualifiers or the main draw. If there is an injury or Covid and someone has to withdraw than that is just the luck of the draw for the opponent. No replacements that lost earlier in the draw.

You have to sell tickets too.
Also: how would it feel if the first round "victory" of the eventual winner was never even played?
As I said, I was undecided. But when every single pro is against it, and even the guy that could have benefited from that rule (Fritz) is against it, I guess this is settled.
Yeah, leave it like it is.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 3:18 pm You have to sell tickets too.
Also: how would it feel if the first round "victory" of the eventual winner was never even played?
As I said, I was undecided. But when every single pro is against it, and even the guy that could have benefited from that rule (Fritz) is against it, I guess this is settled.
Yeah, leave it like it is.

I do understand that tickets need to be sold. I also get that you want the eventual winner of the tournament to win every match the conventional way, but things do happen along the way in every tournament. I guess I am more receptive to the Lucky Loser coming out of the qualifiers for the 1st Round then loser from the previous rounds in later rounds. I cannot get onboard for that at all. Taylor Fritz is completely right about being the Nadal replacement against Kyrgios at Wimbledon. It shouldn't have even been brought up.

Putting this here given the political implications.

Daria Kasatkina, the top ranked Russian, has come out as gay. She follows in the footsteps of a female footballer who came out just a month ago and was the first professional Russian female athlete to come out.

It was during a YouTube video interview, so hasn't hit English-language media yet.

She's got a girlfriend.

(Russian: https://meduza.io/news/2022/07/18/perva ... kaming-aut)

Needless to say, let's wish her all the happiness she can get, with her GF.
But, as you say, that is pretty brave, given the political implications. LGBT people are still openly harassed and discriminated in Russia, right? I have not followed that news but I remember on-line videos and statements about how they can be treated in Russia. Let's hope she can avoid that and that she can be an example to others.

mmmm8 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:47 pm Putting this here given the political implications.

Daria Kasatkina, the top ranked Russian, has come out as gay. She follows in the footsteps of a female footballer who came out just a month ago and was the first professional Russian female athlete to come out.

It was during a YouTube video interview, so hasn't hit English-language media yet.

She's got a girlfriend.

(Russian: https://meduza.io/news/2022/07/18/perva ... kaming-aut)

I think this is so awesome and she is so brave. Not only for herself , but also for the LGBTQ community and her country. I cannot imagine how many girls and boys who are from Russia are afraid to come out and express who they really are because of their government and this young lady becomes so brave and stands up to the government and her statement is going to help so many other people. I say BRAVO to her.

English translation

She did an interview last year with her parents and her brother (seen above) where she put her foot out of the closet. I hope she and her family are safe.

Hooray for Rublev but, any Russian teaming up with an Ukrainian at Wimby would have been risking a lot. A lot of a lot.

It blows my mind that this government truly believes that these athletes agree with this crap that they are doing and they stand with them when all they want is the total opposite but can't say what they stand for. It makes me sick.

That's what it is like to be a citizen of a dictatorship.
You are not entitled to a differing opinion.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:43 pm That's what it is like to be a citizen of a dictatorship.
You are not entitled to a differing opinion.

That is so very sad.

Her girlfriend is 2018 Olympic Silver Medalist in pairs skating (then representing Russia), Natalia Zabiiako. Zabiiako now competes for Canada