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I think Djokovic just doesn't have the humor or charisma to be a real fun tennis villain. He comes across as so self-serious and sort of a gamebot. 

People like Tom Brady, they have a real "I don't give a f__k what y'all think, I'm just going to win" energy. You might not like it, but you respected it. 

Djokovic comes across as so whiny and needy. 

And this is petty, but the way he and his wife relentlessly try to brand themselves as this SuperCouple on social media is also annoying:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9O8uaeoMZF/

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Lorenzo’s been my fave for a while now but by his own admission he’s had some struggles.  I am just over the moon that he has made his first slam semi at Wimbledon.  He has beaten Djokovic once and gone five sets with him twice, so go for it Lorenzo!
Bonus points if the crowd screams Moooose and bugs you know who again…

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(edited)

Fritz just gave up. Again. I like him, but I am tired of his lackadaisical play. 

Go get 'em Lorenzo! 

Djerk's knee will be well rested. Bah. 

Edited by Salacious Kitty
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1 minute ago, Crashcourse said:

But Fritz fought back hard in his last match, so maybe he was just worn out in this match.

That's his MO. Digging himself out of messes of his own making. It must be mentally exhausting. 

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Wow, Vekic gave all, running on fumes. Tough loss after hanging in there till the end. The final could be a good match up. 

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I'm not one to look ahead (actually I am, but to an extent).  However, I will say that I'm not only hoping for a decent match, but that both of the finalists don't bow out before the first weekend arrives (and ends) in the aftermath.

In "aftermath" I'm referring to the US Open and/or Wimbledon 2025.  There appears to be some parity (which is nice), but I would love to see some momentum from winning (or at least getting to the final).

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(edited)

Dear Musetti,

You've won everything since the beginning of the month, I believe...so why stop today?

Love,

Carey

Edited by Carey
Spacing
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No surprises. Not the outcome I would have preferred, but at least it should be a knock down drag out final. ...with Carlos slaying the dragon, of course! 

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With a rematch of last year, and, IMO, the fact that Carlos sorta owns joker, I wonder if the latter will skip the post-game stuff unless he wins.  Which, in terms of his chances, also IMO, are worse than better due to Sinner's fall earlier this week.  That's based off of my first sentence.  I think a joker would have more success over Jannik; I have to double check the head-to-head between him and Alcaraz, but I sorta figured he'd have a de Facto bye when Medvedez won his quarter.

Of course, everything I said means nothing had Carlos still won his semi, but in the outcome of the final, did not successfully defend the title

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I am rooting for the Spud Webb of the WTA in the finals.  Also, Carlos please take him down for the good of mankind.

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Congratulations to Krejčiková.  I enjoy her game.  I can’t remember the issue, but I remember reading something about her (possibly on this site) that made me not like her as a player and disinclined to root for her.  But now I’ve forgotten what that was.  Either way, congrats.

Totally rooting for the adorable Jasmine, though.  Hope she can continue this wonderful form.  I hope this is a maintainable level for her.

But for me the big match of the day is the Women’s Dubs final.  GO TAYLOR!!!!!  (The Best US Taylor, IMHO.). ESPN better darn show it!  Can’t wait for the men’s to be over, as worthy as the players are.

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A long time ago, I think I actually did a search with a Kate & Novak keyword or names.  Several people might not match the years of the Wimbledon aftermath with the Google images of the Princess and the Joke.

Might have had a lot of time on my hands, but regardless of the outcome, it's great that things are better it seems.

As for Krejčiková, it's not a matter of hate or love; IMO, it's sort of the thing that she might not be that well-known.  TBH, I would have loved to see Jasmine win on Saturday, but hats off to Krejčiková for the victory.  That's a title many aren't getting, period.  I don't know what's next, but I'm not going to be surprised if her defense is similar to Markéta and her defense

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Congrats to Carlos for the back to back titles and in such stunning fashion.

So glad it didn’t cost him when that person screamed during one of the match points.

He really is a joy to watch as well.

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On 7/13/2024 at 12:24 PM, Harry24 said:

Congratulations to Krejčiková.  I enjoy her game.  I can’t remember the issue, but I remember reading something about her (possibly on this site) that made me not like her as a player and disinclined to root for her.  But now I’ve forgotten what that was.  Either way, congrats.

Totally rooting for the adorable Jasmine, though.  Hope she can continue this wonderful form.  I hope this is a maintainable level for her.

But for me the big match of the day is the Women’s Dubs final.  GO TAYLOR!!!!!  (The Best US Taylor, IMHO.). ESPN better darn show it!  Can’t wait for the men’s to be over, as worthy as the players are.

Taylor did it!!  Chicago southsider making good at Wimbledon!!! 
image.png.a67d212d8229e3b7220f6f4812417f8e.png

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I wonder if Novak will start to think about retiring now that he knows it will be unlikely that he ever wins another slam. ..Maybe he will give it one last shot at the US Open.  

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So one of the things that the Paris Olympics got right is that there is no ROC or OAR.  All athletes had to be vetted individually and they did away with that "Russia in all but name only" BS from the past few Olympics.

No Russian teams allowed.  Except, oddly, in tennis.  How is it that two "neutral" athletes are allowed to team together in doubles?  I think it would have made sense if there was an established doubles team where the two happened to be Russian and they can get vetted and enter the Olympics as a neutral team.

But now we have random pairings of Russians with Russians being entered as a neutral team?  Like Medvedev.  Guy doesn't play doubles.  At all.  And here he is at the Olympics playing singles, doubles, and mixed.

Why is this being allowed in tennis yet other sports that would have pairs, like table tennis, diving, beach volleyball, don't seem to have any Russian pairs?

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On 7/13/2024 at 12:24 PM, Harry24 said:

Congratulations to Krejčiková.  I enjoy her game.  I can’t remember the issue, but I remember reading something about her (possibly on this site) that made me not like her as a player and disinclined to root for her.  But now I’ve forgotten what that was.  Either way, congrats.

I know I've disliked her for years and I commented on it here as to why, so maybe you read my account of it.  There was a match she played against Muguruza where she won the first set.  She had a huge lead in the second set.  Then Garbine came back and was leading the second set 6-5.  

She was purposely delaying during the match.  She would walk slowly and limp over to the corner to get the towel.  She made grimacing faces and would pause.  Garbine was flabbergasted that the umpire was allowing these delaying tactics.  Even the commentators (I think Chris Evert) was saying something about why this was being allowed.

She took a medical time out (when losing 6-5) and when she came back after some time, she won the match.  I've disliked her ever since.

This is the story:  https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/32158173/garbine-muguruza-not-happy-timing-barbora-krejcikova-medical-unprofessional

Found my post about it:

On 1/25/2022 at 3:02 PM, blackwing said:

 

I am decidedly not a fan, and she is one of the people that I automatically hope will lose.  I never liked her much, but her match against Muguruza in last year's US Open is when my hate bloomed.  The dislike/hate that I reserve for people like Sofia Kenin, Danielle Collins, Coco Vandeweghe.

Garbine was down something like 4-1 in the second set.  She came back and was leading 6-5.  Then Krejcikova took a medical time out.  During Muguruza's service game, Krejcikova also would limp slowly to the corner to get her towel and then limp slowly back.  Yet seemed to have absolutely no issues moving around on the court.  It was really unprofessional.  

So I'm happy to see that Madison Keys beat her.  Question, are she and Bjorn Fratangelo still together?  I know his family a little bit.

Happy for Berrettini.  I wish there was a way that Monfils could have advanced as well.  Happy for Nadal.  I watched the end of the Nadal/Shapavalov match, and wow, when Shapavalov hit the ball out for the final point, he immediately slammed his racket into the ground and broke it.  Then he left it there and walked off.  Poor sport much?  I don't think I have often (if ever) seen a player react in such a manner to losing a match.  Tennis is supposed to be a gracious game.  Most people lose gracefully and immediately approach the net to shake hands.

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(edited)

Jannik Sinner tested positive for steroids twice earlier this season (Once in March and again 9 days later). It was ruled unintentional due to a massage from his physiotherapist. 🤔 

No suspension, just a $325k fine and loss of points.

ESPN

Edited by crimsongrl
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On 8/20/2024 at 9:54 AM, crimsongrl said:

Jannik Sinner tested positive for steroids twice earlier this season (Once in March and again 9 days later). It was ruled unintentional due to a massage from his physiotherapist. 🤔 

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I thought he was looking a bit beefier lately, and I remember the commentators saying he put on 8 pounds of muscle over the last year. It must be hard for someone with that kind of naturally slender build to muscle up. Not saying he's guilty, I mean, Zverev put on quite a bit of muscle too a few years ago without getting busted for anything. Maybe it could be that there was hydrocortisone in the massage cream for pain or something. 😬

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A lot of steroids, though, improve stamina, not muscle mass.  That's what can be appealing to tennis players as the game itself has become progressively longer.

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The explanation of “the physiotherapist used the steroid spray on a cut he had and then massaged Jannik” gives me pause.  He rubbed Sinner with an open wound that only had spray on it?  Weird.

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13 minutes ago, mojoween said:

The explanation of “the physiotherapist used the steroid spray on a cut he had and then massaged Jannik” gives me pause.  He rubbed Sinner with an open wound that only had spray on it?  Weird.

It would seem virtually impossible for a steroid spray applied to the skin to result in a positive urine test for drugs.  There just isn't that much steroid present in the first place and the skin is a great barrier and prevents most things from reaching the bloodstream.  Even if it was directly applied to an open wound, I find it very difficult to believe that that would result in positive testing.

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(edited)

According to an article I just read, the masseuse bandaged the cut for two days, then took it off and used the spray:

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/jannik-sinner-doping-case-explained-timeline-tennis-b2599515.html

Timeline according to independent tribunal report
12 February 2024: Sinner’s fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, buys a spray used on cuts, branded Trofodermin, in a pharmacy in Bologna, Italy.

3 March: Physiotherapist Naldi cuts the little finger on his left hand while reaching into his treatment bag, nicking it on the scalpel he uses to treat calluses on players’ feet. He bandages the cut for two days. Witnesses provide discrepancies on exactly where and when the cut occurred but agree it was caused by the scalpel in the bag on 3 March.

Later that evening, Sinner asks about the bandaged finger during a session with Naldi. Naldi explains the cut and says that he has not treated it with anything.

5 March: Naldi removes his bandage and Ferrara recommends he use the Trofodermin spray for its healing qualities. Naldi does not check the contents, which include the banned substance clostebol. Naldi applies the substance to the small wound on his finger every morning for nine days, in the ensuite bathroom in the villa where they are staying in California.

5-13 March: Naldi gives Sinner a daily full-body massage using oils, and without wearing gloves, lasting an hour to an hour and a half. Naldi also performs foot exercises to assist with an ankle injury. The times of day vary.

10 March: Naldi applies two sprays of Trofodermin to his finger in the morning. He treats Sinner’s feet and ankle, where the player’s skin condition – psoriasiform dermatitis – has previously caused itching, leading to scratching and small cuts and sores. Naldi cannot remember if he washed his hands between applying spray to his finger and massaging Sinner.

That evening, after beating German player Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets, Sinner submits two urine samples (primary and corroborative) at Indian Wells, which both test positive for clostebol.

16 March: Sinner is beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of Indian Wells.

18 March: Another urine sample provided by Sinner, ahead of the Miami Open, tests positive for clostebol.

Edited by Crashcourse
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10 minutes ago, Crashcourse said:

According to an article I just read, the masseuse bandaged the cut for two days, then took it off and used the spray:

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/jannik-sinner-doping-case-explained-timeline-tennis-b2599515.html

Timeline according to independent tribunal report
12 February 2024: Sinner’s fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, buys a spray used on cuts, branded Trofodermin, in a pharmacy in Bologna, Italy.

3 March: Physiotherapist Naldi cuts the little finger on his left hand while reaching into his treatment bag, nicking it on the scalpel he uses to treat calluses on players’ feet. He bandages the cut for two days. Witnesses provide discrepancies on exactly where and when the cut occurred but agree it was caused by the scalpel in the bag on 3 March.

Later that evening, Sinner asks about the bandaged finger during a session with Naldi. Naldi explains the cut and says that he has not treated it with anything.

5 March: Naldi removes his bandage and Ferrara recommends he use the Trofodermin spray for its healing qualities. Naldi does not check the contents, which include the banned substance clostebol. Naldi applies the substance to the small wound on his finger every morning for nine days, in the ensuite bathroom in the villa where they are staying in California.

5-13 March: Naldi gives Sinner a daily full-body massage using oils, and without wearing gloves, lasting an hour to an hour and a half. Naldi also performs foot exercises to assist with an ankle injury. The times of day vary.

10 March: Naldi applies two sprays of Trofodermin to his finger in the morning. He treats Sinner’s feet and ankle, where the player’s skin condition – psoriasiform dermatitis – has previously caused itching, leading to scratching and small cuts and sores. Naldi cannot remember if he washed his hands between applying spray to his finger and massaging Sinner.

That evening, after beating German player Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets, Sinner submits two urine samples (primary and corroborative) at Indian Wells, which both test positive for clostebol.

16 March: Sinner is beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of Indian Wells.

18 March: Another urine sample provided by Sinner, ahead of the Miami Open, tests positive for clostebol.

So, it wasn't Sinner who had the cut?  And he is claiming that he absorbed the steroids through his skin by being massaged by a therapist who had applied the spray at some point prior to massaging Sinner?  This is baloney, IMO.  Topical steroid sprays don't cause elevated steroid levels in the systems of the people who are actually using them, let alone in someone who might've had second-hand contact with the therapist's wound during a massage.

If the officials bought this explanation, they need drug screened themselves.

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55 minutes ago, Notabug said:

So, it wasn't Sinner who had the cut?  And he is claiming that he absorbed the steroids through his skin by being massaged by a therapist who had applied the spray at some point prior to massaging Sinner?  This is baloney, IMO.  Topical steroid sprays don't cause elevated steroid levels in the systems of the people who are actually using them, let alone in someone who might've had second-hand contact with the therapist's wound during a massage.

If the officials bought this explanation, they need drug screened themselves.

Well, I'm not a doctor, so I can't comment on the effects of topical steroid sprays.  I just posted the article which had the explanation.   

I do, however, believe that Sinner didn't know.  I sure hope that's the case.

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Oh my gosh, good thing whoever came up with that "innocent explanation" wasn't attached to a lie detector!

At this point, I just kind of assume they all try to get away with things at one time or another. 

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The amount of steroid found in Sinner's urine was minuscule, like how could they even measure such a tiny amount. According to the NYT, "detected a metabolite of clostebol. The first sample was recorded at 76pg (picograms) per millilitre. The second was recorded at 86pg per millitire. One picogram is equal to one trillionth of a gram." That's certainly not enough to have any affect on Sinner's performance so it's not at all surprising that the penalty was reversed.

I'm all for comprehensive and effective drug testing of all the tennis players but there should be reasonable rules to the whole system, like the amount of substance be enough to actually make a difference to the player's performance. Sinner is going to have this hanging over his head for the rest of his career and that's not fair.

Plus, it's my understanding that this clostebol is an ordinary salve sold over the counter, much like the tubes of Polysporin that are sold in N American stores. We're really not talking about a doping scandal here. At least we shouldn't be.

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