Tennis Random, Random (On Court)

[JazzNU]

And, BTW.
Sure, Nadal and Ruud are not going 100%. It is an exo.
But they are not playing hit and giggle tennis either. The strategy is serious and they have cracked a few great shots. Money well spent for those that went (I am watching on TV).

It seems like it has been going great. The crowds and fan events have made it seem to me like this exhibition is a very welcome tour in South America. I don't recall quite this much exuberance for something like this. Wasn't expecting the diplomatic part either. I get that Nadal is big time, but still wasn't expecting a sitdown with a president and his council or whatever outside of Spain.

It's been nice following along on Rafa and Casper's IG Stories. I've especially enjoyed seeing all the former players. A few like Gisela Dulko and Nicolas Lapentti, I haven't seen in ages.

[ponchi101]

Every country has been putting on a good show before their match. Here, they got Giraldo out of retirement, and Cabal and Farah played too. It was a very good atmosphere.

[JazzNU]

Every country has been putting on a good show before their match. Here, they got Giraldo out of retirement, and Cabal and Farah played too. It was a very good atmosphere.

Thanks for sharing, I only saw Cabal and Farah were there, not Giraldo. Very nice.

[ti-amie]

[ponchi101]

Let's see how many votes Roger gets.
I am still voting Pete. If JazzNu joins me, that's two votes for him.

[Deuce]

How about Rublev for being the most brave Russian with his numerous anti-war messages?
He won't get the most votes - but maybe he should.

[Deuce]

Of course, we know that the results of exhibition matches mean nothing, and are almost always pre-arranged.
But even with that, the optics of this are not good for Leylah...

[ti-amie]

Has Clijsters gained more weight?!

As you said Deuce the outcomes of exhibitions are often prearranged but I'd be really upset if I was on the losing end of this "match".

[Deuce]

Has Clijsters gained more weight?!

As you said Deuce the outcomes of exhibitions are often prearranged but I'd be really upset if I was on the losing end of this "match".

^ Yeah - I think Kim's boobs are bigger - so she must be pregnant!


(For those who don't get the reference...)

[ti-amie]

I was actually looking at her thighs and her abdomen not her boobs.

[ponchi101]

Has Clijsters gained more weight?!

As you said Deuce the outcomes of exhibitions are often prearranged but I'd be really upset if I was on the losing end of this "match".

Who would benefit from Kim Clijsters beating Leylah?
"I have an idea. Let's have an exhibition, and let's have a very popular but retired player, WITH NO ENDORSEMENTS to speak of, beat a very popular and up and coming player, with several endorsements running on her.
What do we get from that?
Uhm.... I dunno..."

Leylah was not interested in giving 100%? Sure, that is explainable. She would throw a match Vs Clijster to tell the rest of the WTA: "I can't even beat a 40 yo, retired player"?
If it had been arranged, she would have won 7-5.

[Deuce]

You would think that, yes, the logical arranged result would have Leylah winning. But in these sorts of events, there are usually all sorts of backroom deals, the details of which we have no idea about - and so anything is possible, and for any reason.

They also played a doubles set, and overall, the whole event pitted Leylah and Sock against Clijsters and Querry - female singles, male singles, and doubles. Sock beat Querry, and Leylah/Sock won the doubles - so Leylah comes out on the 'winning' end overall.

I doubt that 'losing' to Clijsters will do any damage to Leylah's reputation within pro tennis circles, as the other players, coaches, etc. know to never take exhibition results seriously. But it can damage her reputation among the average fans, who think that all results are important and indicative.

[ti-amie]

[ti-amie]

[ponchi101]

Stefanos can be maddening.
But I would accept his apology.
I wonder if he is one glaring case of arrested development.