Are You Anxious?

[Kieran]

Let's have a bit of fun. Tell us your state of mind heading into the most interesting FO in years.

I'll start:

:eyepop

 

[brokenshoelace]

If Rafa really is as fragile as he looks, is this really the most interesting FO in years? Isn't Novak an overwhelming favorite then?

For instance, I think the FO was more interesting in 2011, 2013, and 2014, when Novak looked capable (or even likely) to beat Nadal and everyone was on the edge of their seats for that match-up (even if it didn't end up materializing in 2011. Thanks, Roger).

So the only way this FO will be interesting is if Nadal actually recalls how to play tennis.

 

[Kieran]

Well, it's interesting because we might be watching the greatest serial champ in FO history being dethroned. That, in itself, is much bigger news than anything else. As a moment in tennis history, it would be huge. or - he could take the Decima, and 6 in a row, which would be both incredible records, alongside 11 seasons in a row winning a major.

Or Nole could win the career slam.

Or Roger win a second career slam.

Or Andy...

Or...

But the thread is about how we as fans are facing it, with all the options psychologically put through the computer to give a scientific readout on anxious we all are, or aren't, about the coming ordeal... :devil

 

[brokenshoelace]

I agree about the first part. It will be an event if/when Nadal loses, no matter what.

I don't agree with the other two "Ors" (ie nobody else is winning it other than Novak).

 

[brokenshoelace]

As far as how I'm facing it... resigned to the fact that Nadal might get dethroned, despite that optimistic voice in the back of my head giving me false hopes.

 

[Kieran]

I agree about the first part. It will be an event if/when Nadal loses, no matter what.

I don't agree with the other two "Ors" (ie nobody else is winning it other than Novak).

This thread is about YOU, my friend. How are you bearing up to the crisis was sitting in front of the TV screen - as we all are - getting in practice for sitting in front of the TV screen once it starts?

Have you checked your blood pressure recently? Been taking herbs? Do you self-medicate? Does a petite blonde lady come of a Tuesday morn to "rub your back and shoulders?" Have you hit the bottle? Forgotten to feed your cats? Chewing your nails? Taken to scribbling incoherent existentialist poetry?

How's the old nerves?

 

[Kieran]

As far as how I'm facing it... resigned to the fact that Nadal might get dethroned, despite that optimistic voice in the back of my head giving me false hopes.

Sorry, I didn't see this! I'm on the same ship...

 

[tented]

With Rafa playing like crap, including no European clay titles heading into RG, I'd say it's quite clear -- with about 99.99% certainty -- what will and will not happen in Paris. At this point, it's just a matter of going through the motions. I had been holding out some hope, but not anymore, so I'm resigned to Rafa losing.

 

[El Dude]

I'm confused. Are we supposed to pick our favorite player and choose the closest option?

As a Roger fan I'm not worried at all because he's maybe the fourth or fifth down the list among likely candidates, obviously behind Novak and Rafa, but probably also Andy and maybe Kei.

But as a fan of tennis I'm excited about the possible dethronement of the most dominant player at a single Slam in tennis history. I'm also interested to see how Rafa shows up - he may not even make it to Novak in the final, or he could reclaim his old greatness, at least for seven matches.

Another interesting element is seeding. Will Rafa be one of the top 4 seeds for RG based upon being the defending champion? Or will his seeding be based upon his ranking? Can someone clarify how this works?

 

[El Dude]

With Rafa playing like crap, including no European clay titles heading into RG, I'd say it's quite clear -- with about 99.99% certainty -- what will and will not happen in Paris. At this point, it's just a matter of going through the motions. I had been holding out some hope, but not anymore, so I'm resigned to Rafa losing.

99.99%?! Come now, don't be so dramatic! I do think Novak is the favorite, but I would never count Rafa out on any clay court, especially Roland Garros - even if he's 35 and using a cane. And while Novak is confident and flying high, don't tell me he won't have the jitters if he ends up facing Rafa in the SF or F.

 

[tented]

With Rafa playing like crap, including no European clay titles heading into RG, I'd say it's quite clear -- with about 99.99% certainty -- what will and will not happen in Paris. At this point, it's just a matter of going through the motions. I had been holding out some hope, but not anymore, so I'm resigned to Rafa losing.

99.99%?! Come now, don't be so dramatic! I do think Novak is the favorite, but I would never count Rafa out on any clay court, especially Roland Garros - even if he's 35 and using a cane. And while Novak is confident and flying high, don't tell me he won't have the jitters if he ends up facing Rafa in the SF or F.

LOL, the very nature of the thread is to be dramatic. Didn't you read Kieran's poll choices?

To answer your question, he will have some jitters, sure, but he's playing with such confidence, whereas Rafa has none. No one -- not even Nadal -- can beat Novak when they're playing with no confidence.

 

[Kieran]

I'm confused. Are we supposed to pick our favorite player and choose the closest option?

This is about us, the fans - not the players, or who we think will win it. The poll question is, "Who's your player?" So you find your player and choose the option which best describes your nervous stability while we advance on Paris (from the relative safety of our sofas).

As I say, these options are science, they've been chosen by psychiatrists based on a massive investigation into tennis fans habits... :snicker

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am calm. I know this RG is Gulbis's to lose...

 

[herios]

Another interesting element is seeding. Will Rafa be one of the top 4 seeds for RG based upon being the defending champion? Or will his seeding be based upon his ranking? Can someone clarify how this works?

The only event changing seeding based on past result is Wimbledon. The rest do not.
Rafa will be seeded 7 (or 6 if Raonic pulls out)
The organizers from RG even made an announcement reiterating it that they will not favor Rafa with higher seeding than he has based on his current ATP ranking.

 

[tented]

Another interesting element is seeding. Will Rafa be one of the top 4 seeds for RG based upon being the defending champion? Or will his seeding be based upon his ranking? Can someone clarify how this works?

The only event changing seeding based on past result is Wimbledon. The rest do not.
Rafa will be seeded 7 (or 6 if Raonic pulls out)
The organizers from RG even made an announcement reiterating it that they will not favor Rafa with higher seeding than he has based on his current ATP ranking.

Exactly. This is a known known.

 

[herios]

Another interesting element is seeding. Will Rafa be one of the top 4 seeds for RG based upon being the defending champion? Or will his seeding be based upon his ranking? Can someone clarify how this works?

The only event changing seeding based on past result is Wimbledon. The rest do not.
Rafa will be seeded 7 (or 6 if Raonic pulls out)
The organizers from RG even made an announcement reiterating it that they will not favor Rafa with higher seeding than he has based on his current ATP ranking.

Exactly. This is a known known.

I was actually surprised when I saw El Dude asking this.

 

[Kirijax]

LOL I love this poll Keiran! :clap All polls should be like this! I put my vote in the Andy Murray Marriage Fits All. Really hope Andy gets another shot at Novak in the FO.

 

[Fiero425]

LOL I love this poll Keiran! :clap All polls should be like this! I put my vote in the Andy Murray Marriage Fits All. Really hope Andy gets another shot at Novak in the FO.

Best of 5 on clay; you really want that for Murray? I think he's sorta wasting his time unless he commits to attacking the way he did in Madrid! It's painful to see a match full of these 20-36 stroke rallies! Kei should have won that match in the semi but for critical UFE when Andy was "gassed" with his tongue hanging out! :cover :nono :angel: Murray may not make it to week 2 of the FO if he persists in getting into battles with nobodies and also-rans early on! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[nehmeth]

The only thing I'm anxious over is that there are no freak accidents where anyone gets injured.

That champagne cork could have taken one of bug-eyed boy's eyes. :nono

 

[Kirijax]

The cork that destroyed the Grand Slam of 2015. It was that close to being the most infamous cork of all time. We would have been talking about that cork for the rest of our lives. :cover

The only thing I'm anxious over is that there are no freak accidents where anyone gets injured.

That champagne cork could have taken one of bug-eyed boy's eyes. :nono