Weeks 35 & 36: US Open, New York (hard)

LordBrownof · Futures level

Weeks 35 & 36: US Open, New York (hard)

Vandenburg · Futures level

Coup Droit wrote:
A few interesting (to some!) charts and tables:

Average age of men in US Open since 1990 table:

pbs.twimg.com/media/DII98jDWsAAXKd2.jpg

Wimbledon was slightly higher:

pbs.twimg.com/media/DII_GZpXcAAwSa6.jpg

Number of slams played by the US Open male players:

pbs.twimg.com/media/DIJxrHVXYAAKDAw.jpg:large

I think this is down to better sports science and related technology, however sports that I regard as pure athletic, eg sprint running or swimming have not change, if a swimmer is 27, they are considered very old.

With regards to tennis, I think the older generation, eg people over 30 learnt a different game to the current kids, so have more natural variation in their game which can be to advantage. Because, Wimb, Frog open and other two slams are basically the same speed, players these days learn 1 game.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

(Re LordBrownof)

No, I'm not jealous - not jealous - n-o-t- jealous -

- OK, I am.... evileye

Enjoy !!!

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Saturday 26th of August 2017 03:26:49 PM

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

No....certainly not jealous.....not jealous AT ALL......really really really NOT AT ALL JEALOUS...........

Oakland2002 · All-time great

A bit of a contradiction there re the increased longevity being down to sports science but in sports where success is directly down to physiology there is an abrupt dip in performance before 30 that finishes careers.

I just feel it is down to a generalised greater level of professionalism, better technical understanding, analysis of opponents and being able to play to a game plan. This has been a golden generation and in comparison the present group of 24-28 olds with the odd exemption are underwhelming.

I think some work needs to be done on the surfaces they play on, hard courts are bad on the joints, personally I feel they should make them softer and put some pressure back in the ball.

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Saturday 26th of August 2017 04:34:13 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Personally, I think that the increased longevity is mainly due to increased prize money.

It is now hugely profitable for the top players to carry on - and so they do. And have found ways to make it work.

Various ex-players have made similar comments - they would never have retired then if prize money had been what it is now. It's not improvements in sports science that happened and thus enabled them to carry on, it's the increased prize money that gave the players the incentive to find the necessary improvements in all aspects, to be able to do so.

Sheddie · administrator

Very jealous of everyone going in the next week, but very much looking forward to reading first-hand reports of Brit matches :) I've covered French Open & Wimbledon, but that's as far as I've got towards the 'career slam.' Hoping to add the Aussie Open to that list in Jan, pending on job offer.

I'm going to put forward slightly pessimistic predictions:

I reckon Andy and Aljaz to get through round 1.

Think Tursunov's experience and nous over the distance will see him outlast Cam in 5 sets.

And I think Haase will take out Kyle in 4 or 5. It's not as easy a draw as some are suggesting, but depends a lot on which Haase shows up. The 'A' quality one can give anyone in the world a tough match, but he's equally capable of playing some right dross. Kyle ground out some tough wins in Winston-Salem when not at his best, and showed some impressive new variety and touch at the net which I hadn't seen much of before, but for me his returning still needs quite a bit of work.

Vandenburg · Futures level

BOLD PREDICTION

Theim Park will win the USO 2017.

indiana · Tennis legend

For myself, I certainly don't suggest Haase is an easy first round draw, it's a rather tough one straight off, which could go either way. What I do suggest is that it is a pretty good overall first two round draw ( and not bad three round draw ) for Kyle who clearly has interests beyond R1.

Better than a relatively low ranked player in R1 and be due a top seed in R2.

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 26th of August 2017 05:32:24 PM

indiana · Tennis legend

Vandenburg wrote:
BOLD PREDICTION

Theim Park will win the USO 2017.

Let's be clear here, that's your prediction, bold or otherwise

I'll predict Federer for the title.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

I see it as a tough draw for Kyle and at the moment can't see past the first round. Fingers crossed.

christ · Futures level

Vandenburg wrote:
BOLD PREDICTION

Theim Park will win the USO 2017.

There's a thread for that.

indiana · Tennis legend

christ wrote:
Vandenburg wrote:
BOLD PREDICTION

Theim Park will win the USO 2017.
There's a thread for that.

To be fair there wasn't when Vandenburg posted or when I replied. But voting is now open.

skibbarriz · Strong Club Player

Should Andy be competeing here? He hasn't played a match since Wimbledon, where he clearly wasn't fit at the end. And if it were'nt the US Open, he'd probably still be resting. I don't think he should be playing if he'd benefit more from rest.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Andy is OUT !