Andrea I am beginning to wonder if Chaos Carlos was actually "I'm willing to try stuff" Carlos?
In Jannik's post-match presser yesterday he talked about his predictability and adding more variety to his game. He said he needed to try things, and maybe that will mean losing as part of the improvement process. (Here's the full quote: "I'm going to aim to, you know—maybe even losing some matches from now on—but trying to do some changes, trying to be a bit more unpredictable as a player, because I think that's what I have to do to become a better tennis player.")
I think it's very interesting that he articulated this and I'm actually excited to see him "try some changes." Do you think that we are about to see Janky Jannik a la Chaos Carlos?
Who will win who isn’t Sincaraz? Simple: Henry Bernet, the Swiss junior with a one-handed backhand who won the Aussie Open Boys Singles. He’ll come good in a few years just as Alcaraz is slowing down a tiny bit and Sinner is figuring out a new game. And every top trio needs a one-hander.
We also need an in-depth investigation into how Switzerland keeps producing players with one-handed backhands. Is it the chocolate? The mountain air? The huge influxes of not-at-all-shady money to their banks? Get Netflix to commission you on a 10-part documentary, AP.
Dark meat is where it's at, sis. And those brows were flawless.
Thanks for this beautiful wrap-up of a splendid three weeks. My heart is so full for Aryna. 🫶🏽
I know your newsletter isn't political so I'll just finish with this: some folks shoulda stayed the hell at home & let the fans and finalists enjoy the day. And that's that on THAT. 🐸☕️
Thank you for being the first commentator to emphasize what a remarkable achievement it was for Aryna Sabalenka to win the final. For some weird reason, it often seems that everyone wants to mostly discuss her opponents, even when she wins. As you say, great tournament for Amanda, but massive accomplishment by Sabalenka.
I ride-or-die for Aryna Sabalenka and couldn't be happier for her. It may have taken her a while to win her first major this year but she really was the most consistent player all season. She deserved this moment. 🐯
Ben Shelton seems to be the go-to answer. He has the kind of Carlos-esque ability and appetite for variety, the willingness to play every type of shot and hit from all areas of the court. But like we saw at the US Open, sometimes your body betrays you. Making it through the gauntlet is as much about the body enduring as it is about your ability and talent. So if we’re basing it off the type of game and the talent, I’ll go with Ben.
As always, and as evermore, you have become the lightning rod of all analysis in my tennis world. I love your commentary during the match. I love your analysis after the match. You rock and since you don’t wanna make this a political thread. I will ignore the nuisance that delayed the men’s final. I will completely concur with you about Aryena Sabalenka and how effortlessly Brutal, delicate, strong and relentless she was. I’ve had my moments with discomfort in terms of Ms Sabalenka. That definitely reached a hiccup after Roland Garros. But then she filmed that video with Coco and then she started advising Ostapenko on being focused and calm. She is a very unique talent and watching that match was watching a professor and a student.. I love Amanda and I have for several years and I cannot wait for her to win her first slam the way Aryena said. However, she got outplayed in every way shape or form, including how she dealt with the roof lights.
And I will never get tired of Sinner versus Alcaraz . It is the apotheosis of the beauty of the spirit of the sport. It is like watching Michelangelo paint.. and they are so sincerely humble and gracious to one another that it is inspirational to some of us with more acerbic personalities. And getting into your Geo political stance. I’m a pescatarian, but I will cook two geese and two turkeys during the holiday season from late November until early January and I will only eat the dark meat. I give the white meat to my more mundane diners..
Who I want to see when the next grand slam aside from Sinner and Alcaraz is Felix Auger Aliassime. I have never been a Djokovic fan but now in the waning light of his career, I can deeply appreciate him. And so I hope he goes out on a high and wins his 25th in Australia..
I concur with one of your other writers I would love Casper Rudd to win one .
But who do I think will claw one away? Begrudgingly I will put Jack Draper’s name down. Aspirationally I will put Arthur Fils’ name down. Joao Fonseca can wait until Djokovic becomes his coach to win one..
You're clearly right, as usual, on the topic of chicken meat, as well as the others; no eyebrows, whether of the impeccable or the regular kind, were raised while reading that section. I like to hold that same opinion close to my chest, so as to avoid enlightening my fellow western Euros in that matter, which then allows me to grab all that juicy, flavourful, lovely dark meat for myself. Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
I would have loved to see Amanda culminate her narrative arc (alas, there will have to be more chapters), but I cannot but respect Sabalenka's grit, resourcefulness, and competitive drive. Whenever she could not overpower Anisimova, which she could easily do against most of her opponents but not necessarily against Amanda's clean swings, she ran and defended, dropped it, counterpunched, dug deep into the ground to find the plus-one at the optimal height, and even ventured forward in the right moment with some sweet volleys to seal the point. A well-deserved victory.
If there's a merciful God it has to be Alexander Zverev soon. He has to be redeemed from the burden to not win a Grand Slam - and we (German's) have to be, too.
Can’t believe we made it through all four slams already, even though the others feel like another lifetime. Anyone else loosing track of where we actually are in the year? 🤪 Anyway - thank you, Petko for another great piece of writing and your endurance during the past three weeks - and not to forget happyhappy birthday 🎈
It’s a great question. I’m going with Djok at Wimb on the fluke that Sinner and Alcaraz are either injured or have rare shock losses. And after all Djok is still the 3rd best player, just ask Fritz.
Andrea you are the best wish you were on tv every week of the year.
As to the next men’s winner not named Sinner or Alcaraz, my gut says a healthy Ben Shelton, but it’s probably going to be some phenom none of us have ever heard of who will go on a hot streak and will be so unfamiliar and unpredictable he pulls off the win. The problem is best of 5. We see this a lot in the women’s game, like Andreescu and Raducanu. Hard to imagine someone taking 3 sets off Sinner and Alcaraz in the same tournament.
Andrea I am beginning to wonder if Chaos Carlos was actually "I'm willing to try stuff" Carlos?
In Jannik's post-match presser yesterday he talked about his predictability and adding more variety to his game. He said he needed to try things, and maybe that will mean losing as part of the improvement process. (Here's the full quote: "I'm going to aim to, you know—maybe even losing some matches from now on—but trying to do some changes, trying to be a bit more unpredictable as a player, because I think that's what I have to do to become a better tennis player.")
I think it's very interesting that he articulated this and I'm actually excited to see him "try some changes." Do you think that we are about to see Janky Jannik a la Chaos Carlos?
😂 i would pay millions to see janky jannik!
Ditto 🤣
Who will win who isn’t Sincaraz? Simple: Henry Bernet, the Swiss junior with a one-handed backhand who won the Aussie Open Boys Singles. He’ll come good in a few years just as Alcaraz is slowing down a tiny bit and Sinner is figuring out a new game. And every top trio needs a one-hander.
We also need an in-depth investigation into how Switzerland keeps producing players with one-handed backhands. Is it the chocolate? The mountain air? The huge influxes of not-at-all-shady money to their banks? Get Netflix to commission you on a 10-part documentary, AP.
Dark meat is where it's at, sis. And those brows were flawless.
Thanks for this beautiful wrap-up of a splendid three weeks. My heart is so full for Aryna. 🫶🏽
I know your newsletter isn't political so I'll just finish with this: some folks shoulda stayed the hell at home & let the fans and finalists enjoy the day. And that's that on THAT. 🐸☕️
Thank you for being the first commentator to emphasize what a remarkable achievement it was for Aryna Sabalenka to win the final. For some weird reason, it often seems that everyone wants to mostly discuss her opponents, even when she wins. As you say, great tournament for Amanda, but massive accomplishment by Sabalenka.
Christopher Clarey wrote a great piece on his Substack Tennis and Beyond about Aryna’’s win.
Justice is Served
You would enjoy
Thanks. I did enjoy it.
I ride-or-die for Aryna Sabalenka and couldn't be happier for her. It may have taken her a while to win her first major this year but she really was the most consistent player all season. She deserved this moment. 🐯
Ben Shelton seems to be the go-to answer. He has the kind of Carlos-esque ability and appetite for variety, the willingness to play every type of shot and hit from all areas of the court. But like we saw at the US Open, sometimes your body betrays you. Making it through the gauntlet is as much about the body enduring as it is about your ability and talent. So if we’re basing it off the type of game and the talent, I’ll go with Ben.
Caitlin with the Truly is perfect 🫶📈
Joao Fonseca 😉
Agree with Fran.
As always, and as evermore, you have become the lightning rod of all analysis in my tennis world. I love your commentary during the match. I love your analysis after the match. You rock and since you don’t wanna make this a political thread. I will ignore the nuisance that delayed the men’s final. I will completely concur with you about Aryena Sabalenka and how effortlessly Brutal, delicate, strong and relentless she was. I’ve had my moments with discomfort in terms of Ms Sabalenka. That definitely reached a hiccup after Roland Garros. But then she filmed that video with Coco and then she started advising Ostapenko on being focused and calm. She is a very unique talent and watching that match was watching a professor and a student.. I love Amanda and I have for several years and I cannot wait for her to win her first slam the way Aryena said. However, she got outplayed in every way shape or form, including how she dealt with the roof lights.
And I will never get tired of Sinner versus Alcaraz . It is the apotheosis of the beauty of the spirit of the sport. It is like watching Michelangelo paint.. and they are so sincerely humble and gracious to one another that it is inspirational to some of us with more acerbic personalities. And getting into your Geo political stance. I’m a pescatarian, but I will cook two geese and two turkeys during the holiday season from late November until early January and I will only eat the dark meat. I give the white meat to my more mundane diners..
Who I want to see when the next grand slam aside from Sinner and Alcaraz is Felix Auger Aliassime. I have never been a Djokovic fan but now in the waning light of his career, I can deeply appreciate him. And so I hope he goes out on a high and wins his 25th in Australia..
I concur with one of your other writers I would love Casper Rudd to win one .
But who do I think will claw one away? Begrudgingly I will put Jack Draper’s name down. Aspirationally I will put Arthur Fils’ name down. Joao Fonseca can wait until Djokovic becomes his coach to win one..
But really who do I think and who do I want?
Repping the A:
Ben Shelton.
Is my vote.
Thank you again. You rock. .
Draper, Shelton or Fonseca , but who knows when?
I wish that you called more matches at the US Open for the US channels. Thanks for all you do for world of tennis and beyond.
1. Jack Draper has the most promising trajectory as a potential disruptor.
2. Four of the top 8 fastest topspin backhands are women - maybe it’s not so surprising Amanda might be top. What’s going on here?
3. Great eyebrows.
You're clearly right, as usual, on the topic of chicken meat, as well as the others; no eyebrows, whether of the impeccable or the regular kind, were raised while reading that section. I like to hold that same opinion close to my chest, so as to avoid enlightening my fellow western Euros in that matter, which then allows me to grab all that juicy, flavourful, lovely dark meat for myself. Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
I would have loved to see Amanda culminate her narrative arc (alas, there will have to be more chapters), but I cannot but respect Sabalenka's grit, resourcefulness, and competitive drive. Whenever she could not overpower Anisimova, which she could easily do against most of her opponents but not necessarily against Amanda's clean swings, she ran and defended, dropped it, counterpunched, dug deep into the ground to find the plus-one at the optimal height, and even ventured forward in the right moment with some sweet volleys to seal the point. A well-deserved victory.
If there's a merciful God it has to be Alexander Zverev soon. He has to be redeemed from the burden to not win a Grand Slam - and we (German's) have to be, too.
Bublik
Can’t believe we made it through all four slams already, even though the others feel like another lifetime. Anyone else loosing track of where we actually are in the year? 🤪 Anyway - thank you, Petko for another great piece of writing and your endurance during the past three weeks - and not to forget happyhappy birthday 🎈
It’s a great question. I’m going with Djok at Wimb on the fluke that Sinner and Alcaraz are either injured or have rare shock losses. And after all Djok is still the 3rd best player, just ask Fritz.
Andrea you are the best wish you were on tv every week of the year.
As to the next men’s winner not named Sinner or Alcaraz, my gut says a healthy Ben Shelton, but it’s probably going to be some phenom none of us have ever heard of who will go on a hot streak and will be so unfamiliar and unpredictable he pulls off the win. The problem is best of 5. We see this a lot in the women’s game, like Andreescu and Raducanu. Hard to imagine someone taking 3 sets off Sinner and Alcaraz in the same tournament.