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Post Info TOPIC: Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open, Women's Main Draw - Melbourne, Australia - Outdoor, Hard
HarryGem


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RE: Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open, Women's Main Draw - Melbourne, Australia - Outdoor, Hard
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indiana wrote:

Ash is great in so many ways ( and HarryGem makes very fair points but some such as her courtcraft I am afraid are not truly relevant to the perhaps wider 'problem' ) that I feel sorry for I think kind of getting where Ace is coming from.

It's difficult, je ne sais quoi indeed, that means that she is a clear WR 1 that doesn't really cross over outside tennis aficionados and pull more people in to follow the sport.

Serena, Sharapova, Osaka, probably Emma if she seriously gets and stays near the top, in their different ways have done and can do more to widen the audience. even without their controversies. Though of course in some ways these can add.



-- Edited by indiana on Monday 24th of January 2022 10:17:13 PM

 I agree that currently the game lacks what might be called star appeal. I think, though some of the play is of a high standard some of the top players just aren't made that way and that isn't a criticism. 

Not just the women's game either. In a couple of years the men's game is likely to be similar.

I wonder if the perception is the same in every country though. Not sure the Czechs would think the same. Of course the game can only be expanded worldwide by more players from certain backgrounds reaching the top. Emma, of course with her multi-cultural background, is the WTA's dream answer but she's there because of one incredible story and if she doesn't continue to win will soon disappear from the general public's radar.

For  a true global expansion of the game we need more stories like this

Angella Okutoyi and Meshkat al-Zahra Safi make history at Australian Open - CNN

 

And of course for them to succeed at the top of the game.

 

In this country it would make a massive difference for a girl from, say the backstreets of Birmingham, to make it. I'm not sure that seems likely right now?



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markymc1983


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Does anybody have a link to watch the semi finals? I finally have a day off and would love to watch. Gutted Amazon do not have the rights this year

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JonH comes home


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Collins seems to have the other semifinal in the bag, big win for her if she finishes it off

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markymc1983


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Really pleased for Collins, a great ballstriker and I like her tenacity. Can't see anybody but Barty for this title though (unless she gets the 'yips')



-- Edited by markymc1983 on Thursday 27th of January 2022 11:38:46 AM

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kundalini


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Danielle Collins very impressive. Iga Swiatek fortunate to get past Kanepi in the previous round, as Kaia wasted so much energy trying to close out the first set, making terrible errors on set point, that ultimately cost her later in the match. Not surprised Collins was far too good for Swiatek.

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indiana


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Emma will be up 4 places to WR 14.

She clearly hasn't played the AO in previous years and thus gains 70 ( net 69 ) points from her R1 win although she would have still been WR 14 without these points with other players points drops.

Losses from the 5 players that started immediately above her take Emma ahead of them as the better of AO 2020 / 2021 drop off with Kenin and Osaka ( the two previous winners ) absolutely plunging down the rankings. Both are going to be outside the top 80 as particularly not playng and playing badly respectively really catch up on the pair of them.

Danielle Collins will move ahead of Emma, up 20 places to WR 10 whatever the result of the final. Ash stretches further clear of the still WR 2 Sabalenka and the new WR 3 Krejcikova.



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newby


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I I do feel it's weird to decry Ash Barty's ' lack of persona'. She is understated, humble and totally talented. Her tennis style shows pure skill and its fantastic to watch. A true champ and to be totally admired.

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LordBrownof


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Agree. I think she's a remarkable athlete, human, and tennis player. I don't know about anyone else but I like the lack of "drama" around her - it's refreshing. She's also fantastic to watch - I love waiting for that turn of pace, esp on the backhand side. A game style in contrast to many of her rivals.

And I think it'll be a good final. Ash with all the pressure and remember, Collins beat her in straights sets last time out (and in Australia too). Here's to a great Barty vs Dani-yell final!



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indiana


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newby wrote:

I I do feel it's weird to decry Ash Barty's ' lack of persona'. She is understated, humble and totally talented. Her tennis style shows pure skill and its fantastic to watch. A true champ and to be totally admired.

 I don't think anyone is saying Ash should not be absolutely admired.

Her personality is her personality and she seems a good sort. But enough people ( including myself and I don't think I'm being weird  ) say that they don't really connect with her rather inward looking playing persona and think that generally other top players would more likely project women's tennis to a wider audience that I suggest that it is perfectly worthy of comment.

Is not really a criticism of Ash that she's not likely to have folk laughing in the aisles nor is some super model. And thankfully this forum is one where one can generally make more nuanced points without being seen as a hater or even a disliker. I do think these are very legitimate thoughts as to whether she is a cross-over WR 1. 

Similar to what I have read others say, I have sporty but only occasional dipping into tennis friends that ask me about other players and matches but very rarely if ever Ash.



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dodrade


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indiana wrote:
newby wrote:

I I do feel it's weird to decry Ash Barty's ' lack of persona'. She is understated, humble and totally talented. Her tennis style shows pure skill and its fantastic to watch. A true champ and to be totally admired.

 I don't think anyone is saying Ash should not be absolutely admired.

Her personality is her personality and she seems a good sort. But enough people ( including myself and I don't think I'm being weird  ) say that they don't really connect with her rather inward looking playing persona and think that generally other top players would more likely project women's tennis to a wider audience that I suggest that it is perfectly worthy of comment.

Is not really a criticism of Ash that she's not likely to have folk laughing in the aisles nor is some super model. And thankfully this forum is one where one can generally make more nuanced points without being seen as a hater or even a disliker. I do think these are very legitimate thoughts as to whether she is a cross-over WR 1. 

Similar to what I have read others say, I have sporty but only occasional dipping into tennis friends that ask me about other players and matches but very rarely if ever Ash.

 The question is it better for women's tennis to have a decent but unexciting no.1 like Barty or a figure who brings publicity but also controversy in the mould of say, Nick Kyrgios?



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indiana


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That's a question if wishing to consider an extreme alternative.

Probably, though not sure on that one. Pretty sure yes though with someone more in between.



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newby


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So why is Barty ' unexciting'?
Her tennis is exciting. Maybe this is more about instagram, photo-shoots and fashion. Would Rafa and Roger be unexciting too?


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Coup Droit


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newby wrote:

So why is Barty ' unexciting'?
Her tennis is exciting. Maybe this is more about instagram, photo-shoots and fashion. Would Rafa and Roger be unexciting too?

 For me, nothing to do with her instagram. 

And I think it's rather a 'cheap shot' that people suggest this.

Justine Henin was a huge favourite of mine (and many others) and it's not being rude to say she was not an instagram, photo-shoot, fashion fan. Nor was Schiavone, or Kuznetsova, or a whole heap of excellent players whom I loved to watch. 

As said before, with Ash, it is her 'closed' persona when playing - I find it difficult to warm to her tennis when I'm not really sure she cares (of course, I assume she does, she must do, but it's what comes across).

Now I really hope she wins the Australian - I love it when home players do well. And I really like her.  

But don't accuse me of being Instagram-led when I say I don't really get worked up about her matches. 



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JonH comes home


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Coup Droit wrote:
newby wrote:

So why is Barty ' unexciting'?
Her tennis is exciting. Maybe this is more about instagram, photo-shoots and fashion. Would Rafa and Roger be unexciting too?

 For me, nothing to do with her instagram. 

And I think it's rather a 'cheap shot' that people suggest this.

Justine Henin was a huge favourite of mine (and many others) and it's not being rude to say she was not an instagram, photo-shoot, fashion fan. Nor was Schiavone, or Kuznetsova, or a whole heap of excellent players whom I loved to watch. 

As said before, with Ash, it is her 'closed' persona when playing - I find it difficult to warm to her tennis when I'm not really sure she cares (of course, I assume she does, she must do, but it's what comes across).

Now I really hope she wins the Australian - I love it when home players do well. And I really like her.  

But don't accuse me of being Instagram-led when I say I don't really get worked up about her matches. 

 Not sure if anyone saw the interview I posted here yesterday with Dylan ALcott, he was really praiseworthy of Ash (and K & K) as being just great people (and Andy as well in fact) and described them all as just great mates.

I hope Ash wins the final tomorrow 



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indiana


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Nice.

Though I note you link it to some of the Ash discussion, Jon. I am sure she can be a great person ( and I don't think anyone here has said that Ash isn't ) and be a great mate of Dylan Alcott without, in her current tennis position, being great for the growth and spread of the women's game.



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