Running tennis thread for 2023

Hard to believe now, but early in his career there were fitness questions, as he would tire when matches went into the fourth set and quit in four Grand Slam matches.

 

I think some of Joker’s *problem* is simple looks. He isn’t as cute as Fed and Rafa, so he was never beloved like they are. We’re a vain species.

 

I remember that! Yes, he was the clown. My recollection is his most famous impression was Sharapova.

 

His hair looks like the old G.I. Joe with lifelike hair.

 

Some nice wins for Americans as the runup to the U.S. Open shifts into high gear with the Canadian tournament formerly known as the Rogers Cup.

Danielle Collins -- remember her as an Australian Open finalist in 2022? -- opened up in Montreal with convincing straight-set wins over surging Elina Svitolina and No. 8-ranked Maria Sakkari.

In Toronto, Mackie McDonald took out No. 7 Andre Rublev in straight sets and Marcos Giron outlasted No. 6 Holger Rune in a three-set win. And while Ben Shelton didn't win in the second round, he gets honorable mention for forcing Alcaraz to a tiebreak in the second set before losing 6-3, 7-6.

Speaking of losses, No. 10 Tiafoe was ousted in Round 1 by Milos Raonic.

 

Just watched Medvedev choke away a match in Toronto. Loses the first set after going up 4-0 on de Minaur in a tiebreak, then after going up a break at 4-2 in the second throws up four double faults and eight unforced errors to drop five of the next six games and lose 7-5.

 

Tommy Paul with a huge upset over Alcaraz. So the top 2 seeds are out in Toronto.

 

Went to a Shakespeare in the Park production tonight that was by the famous Unisphere so got to walk by the US Open facilities. Got me pumped for coming in a few weeks for week 1 action, a longtime tradition and one of my favorite NYC activities. Nothing like those first days and being able to wander all around the grounds watching great matches for hours and hours while spending 38 bucks for a burger and soda.

 

Last year the USTA put together a video of the Top 10 points for Jimmy Connors at the US Open. Number 10 was….his rally against Paul Haarhuis, which is probably the most famous point in Open history. What?!

Been thinking of equivalents for this. Top 10 dunks for Dr. J and No. 10 is the one over Michael Cooper. Top 10 jump shots for Michael Jordan and 10 is the winner over the Jazz in 1998. Top 10 touchdowns by Roger Staubach and No. 10 is Hail Mary to Pearson. Etc.

 

No poster has ever been more right. Ridiculous.
#7 is a rally against Aaron Krickstein the same year. Connors is at the net and Aaron has an entire court to hit a passing shot and inexplicably hits it right to Connors who puts it away.
This is silly.

 

The better eye candy would be "Top 10 Connors outbursts on court...." or really "Top 10 McEnroe tantrums on court..."