x.doublea
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Favourite Grand SlamSince we are in the 'Grand Slam Spirit', it is interesting to discuss about our favourite Grand Slams and why we prefer that Grand Slam tournament over the other three.
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x.doublea
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I pick the Australian Open, simply because year after year, it produces the best matches. Yes, it might not be as historical as the other three Grand Slam tournament (and to some, not as prestigious), there is no doubt that the Rebound Surface is the surface that matches the most number of players. TENNIS Magazine had a good article in its January issue discussing why Rebound Ace is the best surface for great matches.
Here are just some of the great matches in the past few years:
2005: Federer vs. Safin SF
2004: Agassi vs. Safin SF
2003: Roddick vs. El Anouyi QF
2002: Safn vs. Johansson F
2001: Agassi vs. Rafter SF
2000: Agassi vs. Sampras SF; Agassi vs. Kafelnikov F
That being said, I would say that the US Open was the best Grand Slam tournament of 2005.
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leftys_rock
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well i like both of them really.....the USO and AO....theyre the modern slams and the have a party type of feel to them.....like both of them are big tennis parties really......
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x.doublea
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Hard court tennis seems to bring the best out of the vast majority of players more than grass, carpet, or clay.
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leftys_rock
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i like the fact that both the AO and USO have music playing and have night matches...like any time u look there, theres a party going on.....it makes u really want to be there with the fun.....
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J-man
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i love them all but roland garros (FO) is my favorite for it's great rallies.
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x.doublea
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| J-man wrote: | | i love them all but roland garros (FO) is my favorite for it's great rallies. |
Definitely. Virtually every match has at least one good rally. On the faster surfaces (especially Wimbledon), you get tons of matches that are just quick errors or winners. There aren't a lot of epic struggles.
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leftys_rock
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yeah....its just on clay, the game is so much more wide open because not many top players excel on clay.....
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x.doublea
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I read somewhere that clay is more for the 'down-to-earth' than the talented.
I think on clay, athletism can defeat talent more than any other surface.
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leftys_rock
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yes, and that is why it is nadal's favorite....  and that is why davenport and sharapova really dont like it....
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Ruiz
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my favorite grand slam will be .....
ROLAND GARROS ofcourse !!!
(and don't call it the French Open, i don't like that name, Roland Garros is a more beautiful name )
The people, the atmoshere, the surface, close to my country, ... just heavenly!
The most matches i will never forget are played at Roland Garros.
The 3 finals with a Belgian. The double final with Malisse and Rochus, the monster-match Grosjean - Santoro, JHH - Kuznetsova, ...
The Grand slam I like the least is Wimbledon and the US Open.
At wimbledon i don't like the tradition, and i don't like the game on grass.
At the US Open, there's too much noise in the crowd and there's too much cirque around the matches.
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dav6789
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The good thing about Roland Garros and Wimbledon, is that you always get a good breakthrough from an unexpected player because the surfaces are different.
I like Wimbledon becuase it is the most unique of the 4. Its the best grass court tennis, and one of the few grass tournaments still around.
I think A.Open had the best tennis in 2005.
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J-man
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| x.doublea wrote: | | J-man wrote: | | i love them all but roland garros (FO) is my favorite for it's great rallies. |
Definitely. Virtually every match has at least one good rally. On the faster surfaces (especially Wimbledon), you get tons of matches that are just quick errors or winners. There aren't a lot of epic struggles. |
yeah i know. AO is also great because it's more similar to clay and you do get some good rallies
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dav6789
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The A.Open has really improved since hardly any players used to play there. The surface is the most fair and medium paced, so everyone can play well on it. The only problem is the extreme heat, but other than that it is a good tournmament.
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Babzzzzz
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A bit off-topic: According to a chiropractor/kinesiologist (who works with pro players) the rebound ace surface at the AO is a: "major danger" for the players. He is of the opinion that the surface "anchored players' feet to the court, increasing the risk of ankle injuries."
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Babzzzzz
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| dav6789 wrote: | The good thing about Roland Garros and Wimbledon, is that you always get a good breakthrough from an unexpected player because the surfaces are different.
I like Wimbledon becuase it is the most unique of the 4. Its the best grass court tennis, and one of the few grass tournaments still around.
I think A.Open had the best tennis in 2005. |
My favorite would also be Wimbledon for the same reasons. But also because of the tradition, it also has a good crowd (and streakers!  )
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leftys_rock
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wimby is nice, cuz theres not that many tourneys with that much tradition and history anymore....and theres not that many grass courts, and that makes it a very special GS for everybody.....
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x.doublea
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | wimby is nice, cuz theres not that many tourneys with that much tradition and history anymore....and theres not that many grass courts, and that makes it a very special GS for everybody..... |
Yes, Wimbledon is very nice. Grass is my favourite surface to play on, so I have an appreciation for the surface and it's play. It is also organized perfectly. Everything goes according to plan. Last year, the net broke and within a minute, a new one was set up and play resumed. It's sad when you compare Wimbledon's perfection in organization to the US Open, where in 2004, they were wiping the court with cloths after a rain out.
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dav6789
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I always enjoy seeing grass-court tennis, it's only on for 1 month a year, thats just 6 tournaments on the ATP, 4 on the WTA.
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beachjm
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I love all the majors so its really hard for me to rank them. But if I had to, I'd put the U.S. Open on top, Wimbledon a close second, and probably a tie between the FO and AO.
But each one has certain aspects that you could argue could make them the best. Wimbledon has the tradition and a unique and dying surface, grass. U.S. Open has the crazy atmosphere and night matches. French Open is the toughest major physically to win and it features a lot of complete and old school tennis. The drop shot is a major weapon on clay and you just have to be so tough physically and mentally to grind out 7 matches on clay. The Aussie Open is not only underrated in tennis, its underrated in all of sports. Probably the best fans, so positive and fun, great surface (although too sticky when it gets hot), and the unpredictibility of it all makes if fun. Starts way too early, but hey nothing's perfect.
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J-man
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| x.doublea wrote: | | leftys_rock wrote: | | wimby is nice, cuz theres not that many tourneys with that much tradition and history anymore....and theres not that many grass courts, and that makes it a very special GS for everybody..... |
Yes, Wimbledon is very nice. Grass is my favourite surface to play on, so I have an appreciation for the surface and it's play. It is also organized perfectly. Everything goes according to plan. Last year, the net broke and within a minute, a new one was set up and play resumed. It's sad when you compare Wimbledon's perfection in organization to the US Open, where in 2004, they were wiping the court with cloths after a rain out. |
with cloths WTF. what are we poor or something 
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dav6789
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LOL
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Ruiz
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| J-man wrote: |
It's sad when you compare Wimbledon's perfection in organization to the US Open, where in 2004, they were wiping the court with cloths after a rain out. |
Indeed it was pathetic. They were wiping with cloths and when they were finished it started raining again
I think Roland Garros is the only GS that have been spared with weather problems the last years.
Wimbledon and the US open with rain
Aussie Open with the extreme heat
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dav6789
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Roland Garros had a number of weather problems last year. Some days of play were delayed because of rain, and nearly every day in the second week, the conditions were very windy .
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Ruiz
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| dav6789 wrote: | | Roland Garros had a number of weather problems last year. Some days of play were delayed because of rain, and nearly every day in the second week, the conditions were very windy . |
Ya ok, but not that fatal 
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dav6789
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Well Roland Garros probably had more rain delays than Wimbledon last year.
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Ruiz
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| dav6789 wrote: | | Well Roland Garros probably had more rain delays than Wimbledon last year. |
Wel ya, ok, but i had it over the last years
never mind
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J-man
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| Ruiz wrote: | | J-man wrote: |
It's sad when you compare Wimbledon's perfection in organization to the US Open, where in 2004, they were wiping the court with cloths after a rain out. |
Indeed it was pathetic. They were wiping with cloths and when they were finished it started raining again
I think Roland Garros is the only GS that have been spared with weather problems the last years.
Wimbledon and the US open with rain
Aussie Open with the extreme heat |
that looks embarrsing. almost like a hazing ritual i don't think there going to get much dried using cloths
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x.doublea
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| J-man wrote: | | Ruiz wrote: | | J-man wrote: |
It's sad when you compare Wimbledon's perfection in organization to the US Open, where in 2004, they were wiping the court with cloths after a rain out. |
Indeed it was pathetic. They were wiping with cloths and when they were finished it started raining again
I think Roland Garros is the only GS that have been spared with weather problems the last years.
Wimbledon and the US open with rain
Aussie Open with the extreme heat |
that looks embarrsing. almost like a hazing ritual i don't think there going to get much dried using cloths |
You would think that since the US Open makes so much money, the USTA could at least buy some tarps (like Wimbledon) to cover at least Louis Armstrong Court and Arthur Ashe Stadium. Apparently, they are not smart enough to figure out a way.
The funny thing is that they wiped the courts with cloths for what felt like half of the tournament. They were confronted with the same problem over and over again, and they managed to do absolutely nothing.
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J-man
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| x.doublea wrote: | | J-man wrote: | | Ruiz wrote: | | J-man wrote: |
It's sad when you compare Wimbledon's perfection in organization to the US Open, where in 2004, they were wiping the court with cloths after a rain out. |
Indeed it was pathetic. They were wiping with cloths and when they were finished it started raining again
I think Roland Garros is the only GS that have been spared with weather problems the last years.
Wimbledon and the US open with rain
Aussie Open with the extreme heat |
that looks embarrsing. almost like a hazing ritual i don't think there going to get much dried using cloths |
You would think that since the US Open makes so much money, the USTA could at least buy some tarps (like Wimbledon) to cover at least Louis Armstrong Court and Arthur Ashe Stadium. Apparently, they are not smart enough to figure out a way.
The funny thing is that they wiped the courts with cloths for what felt like half of the tournament. They were confronted with the same problem over and over again, and they managed to do absolutely nothing. |
yeah i know really. they should try to do something this year.
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x.doublea
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I have a feeling that they aren't going to. 
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Babzzzzz
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| J-man wrote: | | [that looks embarrsing. almost like a hazing ritual i don't think there going to get much dried using cloths |
They clearly did not use Nikes Dry Fit apparel to dry the court:lol:
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x.doublea
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It's a good thing they didn't because they would have to replace a Dri-Fit cloth after 10 rubs on the DecoTurf. 
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Babzzzzz
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LOL
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J-man
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| Babzzzzz wrote: | | J-man wrote: | | [that looks embarrsing. almost like a hazing ritual i don't think there going to get much dried using cloths |
They clearly did not use Nikes Dry Fit apparel to dry the court:lol: |
yes LOL. they should have used that because then they could say: "nike dry fit used by ball boys and s everywhere".
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Babzzzzz
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If only they used this year ballboys and ballgirls clothes which was designed by Ralph Lauren, so they could rub away that insanely huge polo logo from those shirts.
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J-man
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yeah really.
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x.doublea
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| J-man wrote: | | Babzzzzz wrote: | | J-man wrote: | | [that looks embarrsing. almost like a hazing ritual i don't think there going to get much dried using cloths |
They clearly did not use Nikes Dry Fit apparel to dry the court:lol: |
yes LOL. they should have used that because then they could say: "nike dry fit used by ball boys and s everywhere". |
They should at least make the ball boys wear uniforms with material such as DriFit from a tennis-marque company instead of making them wear Polo uniforms that have huge logos.
(Not the ball boy uniform, but the logo is about the same size)
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Babzzzzz
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Indeed, RL has nothing to do with tennis (I like they guyin that shirt more than that logo )
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x.doublea
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Yes, their top sponsored player is ranked like 150th.
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Babzzzzz
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| x.doublea wrote: | | Yes, there top sponsored player is ranked like 150th. |
So, RL is sponsoring pro players? I don't think Lacoste is a tennis brand either, though it is founded by this great French player Henry Lacoste. But here Lacoste clothes are casual clothes rather than sport clothes. I think we're going a bit off-topic now...sorry.
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leftys_rock
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well doesnt roddick wear lacoste clothes?? and i didnt know RL sponsored players....i just saw their commercial in the USO...
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x.doublea
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | well doesnt roddick wear lacoste clothes?? and i didnt know RL sponsored players....i just saw their commercial in the USO... |
Yes, Roddick, as well as Grojean, wear Lacoste clothing. I'm not sure whether Lacoste makes shoes, however, because Roddick wears Babolat shoes.
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J-man
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| x.doublea wrote: | | leftys_rock wrote: | | well doesnt roddick wear lacoste clothes?? and i didnt know RL sponsored players....i just saw their commercial in the USO... |
Yes, Roddick, as well as Grojean, wear Lacoste clothing. I'm not sure whether Lacoste makes shoes, however, because Roddick wears Babolat shoes. |
lacoste i think does make shoes. gasquet wears them
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leftys_rock
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roddick uses everything that is a french brand....
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dav6789
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Yeah, he changed to Lacoste after the A.Open last year, but he wears Babolat shoes.
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J-man
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | roddick uses everything that is a french brand.... |
i remeber at FO that the commentators were saying how everything he wears is french made. the french must think he is a poser
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leftys_rock
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lol.....true.......but roddick probably just likes it....it just happens that all of that stuff is french...
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J-man
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they must be paying him good money
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leftys_rock
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lol...yeah.....but hes had that stuff for a while hasnt he?? except for the shoes...
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J-man
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yeah he switched last year. later in 2005 roddick got the shoes, which at the time were only being sold in japan and europe
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leftys_rock
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yeah....has roddick used other things besides babolat and reebok??
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J-man
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i think that's all. he's been with babolat since like the begining of time
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leftys_rock
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wow....hes very faithful....hes babolat's star player right??
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x.doublea
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | wow....hes very faithful....hes babolat's star player right?? |
He's having a sponsorship rivalry with Nadal.
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leftys_rock
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lol...yes....but i think they probably prefer roddick cuz roddick attracts more attention......in roddick matches, he brings all the girls out
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x.doublea
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | lol...yes....but i think they probably prefer roddick cuz roddick attracts more attention......in roddick matches, he brings all the girls out |
Yes, Roddick has, what TENNIS calls, the 'It' Factor: the combination of good results,looks, and charisma.
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leftys_rock
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lol yes....that is why he attracts all the girls in his matches.....you can always hear girls screaming during his matches....
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x.doublea
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | lol yes....that is why he attracts all the girls in his matches.....you can always hear girls screaming during his matches.... |
He's sort of like a young Agassi, except with less talent and a tad more maturity.
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leftys_rock
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lol...yeah....in his matches he always has in the stands what the commentators call "the bikini brigade"
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lobsided
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The Red Clay Of Roland Garros.
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J-man
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| leftys_rock wrote: | | lol...yeah....in his matches he always has in the stands what the commentators call "the brigade" |
and he loves it too nothing better than ladies in bikni's
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Agassi2000
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US open because its on the standard tennis surface that everyone can play well on, its towards the end of the season so everyone is warmed up and playing well on hard courts, and it seems to represent tennis skill because of all these things.
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captainwiggly
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I had to vote for my home country of Australia. I think they are putting on a pretty good showing this year.
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J-man
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yeah the tournment is going pretty well, minus agasi, nadal and safin
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canadian-southpaw
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The US Open is my favorite. I just love the atmosprehe of the event. The rowdy crowd at the evening sessions. Plus it is close enough to where I am from in Canada to go and see it without paying for plane tickets.
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J-man
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"rowdy" seems to be the new word
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x.doublea
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| J-man wrote: | | yeah the tournment is going pretty well, minus agasi, nadal and safin |
Yes, the AO is certainly not disappointing anyone. THe players have stepped up their games and the withdrawals of Agassi, Safin, and Nadal seem to be almost forgotten.
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J-man
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yes they have    
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canadian-southpaw
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I love the Rowdy Crowds.
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J-man
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rowdy crowds can be good it's just that they can get to rowdy
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x.doublea
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...as they did in the Baghdatis-Roddick match.
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J-man
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i haven't watched the bahgdatis-lubjicic match yet (i DVR it). so how are the rowdy fans for both players??
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leftys_rock
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quite loud.....i really think that those fans should go to soccer instead of tennis....theyre just not suited for being in a tennis stadium....
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x.doublea
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They were waving flags, standing in the front balcony so people behind them couldn't see the action, shouting when their favourite player won a point, cheering when the opponent faulted, etc....
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leftys_rock
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yeah...im surprised the rest of the crowd didnt band together and yell "SHUT UP!!"
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canadian-southpaw
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I don't think it is right when you are disturbing other paying fans. If they would have gotten together and yelled SHUT UP that may have started a riot, because of all the alcohol the flag waving screaming fans had consumed all day.
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x.doublea
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I read that a riot nearly broke out in a McEnroe-Nastase match at the US Open, and that McEnroe DIDN'T cause any comotion.
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canadian-southpaw
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I been told that Nastase was a bad hot tempered player in his day as well. He could have been the cause of it.
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x.doublea
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| canadian-southpaw wrote: | | I been told that Nastase was a bad hot tempered player in his day as well. He could have been the cause of it. |
Yes. Apparently, in that match, he was defaulted by the umpire and re-instated by the touranment referee, who feared a riot would errupt from the alcohol-filled fans. McEnroe just stood there watching the whole incident.
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canadian-southpaw
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Alcohol sure can stir up people
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leftys_rock
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i just dont think that those twenty drunk screaming cypriots should have been allowed into the stadium at all....it would have relieved most of the fans in the stadium....
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baselinebrawler
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I Love watching Wimbledon. It has all the tradition and the Queen and Prince being there and everyone wheres white. It just seems that's the way tennis should be played.
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x.doublea
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I find that Wimbledon doesn't hold the entensity as well as the AO and the US Open.
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baselinebrawler
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Wimbledon doesn't have the screaming of the fans and the big soccer crowds, but for true tennis the old fashion way nothing can beat the ambeance(Spelling) of Wimbledon.
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x.doublea
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That's for sure.
Tradition, tradition, tradition...
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leftys_rock
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i find it hard to imagine the all england club with rock music playing and having the night lights up.....quite a thought....when its usually so quiet and calm on court.....
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baselinebrawler
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That would be something to hear and see.
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leftys_rock
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yeah....i hope it stays like it is....its nice having a place with tradition and everything.......england is just the place....
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J-man
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| x.doublea wrote: | | canadian-southpaw wrote: | | I been told that Nastase was a bad hot tempered player in his day as well. He could have been the cause of it. |
Yes. Apparently, in that match, he was defaulted by the umpire and re-instated by the touranment referee, who feared a riot would errupt from the alcohol-filled fans. McEnroe just stood there watching the whole incident. |
Mcenroe proably enjoyed watching it i bet
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leftys_rock
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lol yeah...considering how hot tempered jmac was....
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J-man
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he makes tennis intresting
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leftys_rock
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yeah...he was the racquet smasher and he protested like every line call....
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J-man
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but i haven't seen him smash a racket on the senior tour, he just yells alot at the umpire
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leftys_rock
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yeah....hes still very energetic even when hes commentating....
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x.doublea
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I'm really surprised that he gives Federer so much praise; Federer must really be very good, then.
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leftys_rock
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yeah...most of the retired tennis players like federer a lot.....
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x.doublea
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The only people McEnroe praises a lot is Federer, Agassi, and Donald Young.
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leftys_rock
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true....for a while, he didnt like the womens game......
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J-man
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| x.doublea wrote: | | I'm really surprised that he gives Federer so much praise; Federer must really be very good, then. |
why not. federer's like past he's record of wins
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