Rio Olympics Official Thread - Men's Tennis

[teddytennisfan]

RUSSIAN SAFIN --

IN HIS FIRST OLYMPIC


WON BRONZE over UK rival.

in FENCING!!! yes == he's IN FENCING NOW!!

no no no -- NOT MARAT

TIMUR SAFIN !!! OK?

 

[teddytennisfan]

feel so happy for JUAN MARTIN ...and feel so sad for NOLE.

BUT BOTH ARE WONDERFUL GENTLEMEN

 

[Tennis Fan]

It's incredible how much damage can do the injuries. Great players which could have got more achievements but the injuries didn't allow them to do it. Delpo could have won more than one GS but unfortunately his wrists have gave him very bad times. Rafa could have more GS numbers but we know what has happened but never is late
We'll see what happens now in RIO and how far they can go

Haas is another one. It's hard to have a stop-start career when the potential is there. But, like you said, it's never too late and I sincerely hope these guys can get somehow find a way to add to their already illustrious careers and achievements.

 

[Tennis Fan]

ONE really CUTE thing with DELPO long ago -- in the Beijing olympics -- when he got a medal -- and he was asked what he felt like - being two weeks away

his answer?


"I miss MY MOTHER!! " hehe....6'6'' Power Giant -- was homesick -- he really said that -- that ''because my mother - her cooking and wakes me up " -- hehe...that was soooooooooooooo cute!!

he may be the TANK in Tennis and better not provoke him , guys...

but he;s stil MOMMY'S BABY!! hehe...

What a cute story. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[teddytennisfan]

Haas is another one. It's hard to have a stop-start career when the potential is there. But, like you said, it's never too late and I sincerely hope these guys can get somehow find a way to add to their already illustrious careers and achievements.

exactlyu ...

but also -- in practical matters -- imagine all the sacrifice - the MONEY spent? somehow it brings you back to thinking about that -- they HAVE to at least recoup some of so much money spent -- because people have to pay bills, apartment, house, health care...all that surgery - etc...i mean it's a LIVING a profession for them too , u know?

 

[teddytennisfan]

What a cute story. Thanks for sharing that.

ohyea -- i saw it on tv myself -- he was right there being asked by the reporter -- and his MAIN answer was how he missed ''my mother-- i miss home"

and talked about "because she takes care of me". LOL!!

it was soooooooo cute!

 

[Tennis Fan]

exactlyu ...

but also -- in practical matters -- imagine all the sacrifice - the MONEY spent? somehow it brings you back to thinking about that -- they HAVE to at least recoup some of so much money spent -- because people have to pay bills, apartment, house, health care...all that surgery - etc...i mean it's a LIVING a profession for them too , u know?

Right, so many times fans cease to see celebrities and athletes as people. Big mistake, IMO.

 

[Tennis Fan]

That was a great match today. I felt bad for Novak, but happy for JMDP who was so emotional. That win meant a lot to him, a harbinger of things to come? Sometimes when a match is that well played you almost hate to see the outcome knowing that one or the other will be crushed at the end, but that's sport. You have to pick yourself up and try to do better the next time.

 

[Tennis Fan]

ohyea -- i saw it on tv myself -- he was right there being asked by the reporter -- and his MAIN answer was how he missed ''my mother-- i miss home"

and talked about "because she takes care of me". LOL!!

it was soooooooo cute!

JMDP is such a teddy bear. So big and imposing, but so tender and sweet at the same time.

 

[teddytennisfan]

Right, so many times fans cease to see celebrities and athletes as people. Big mistake, IMO.

exactly

for me -- that' salways in the back of my mind --e specially about the less successful ones --

remember how - for example MARIO ANCIC? what a loss to the sport , isn't it \? and he had ONE of the most beautiful power games out there -- something along the lines of Delpo really - though perhaps not as agile as JM -- but nothing that couldn't be imroved much with more time and ''career"

but -- how COULD he when his health -- some blood disorder or something -- just would not allow getting any decent traction ? and just when he would emerge threatening to do some damage in the tour - there it goes again for him...so he had to face reality and study law..good for him because at least there was that -- and he probably already had put away enough money to finish a high professional degree for a well-paying job -- but what about still others ? i mean this IS a very expensive career and everything still - in the end -- rests on A MATCH! A few points.....my god!

you have to admire the dedication of these folks, really. and that of their families too.

so you always wish for each of them to be earning SOMETHING TO HELP compensate for all that. especially those who - in the majority -- will never make it to the top -- and those even more who will never even make it past the lowest tiers or draws...

that's why -- even whena FAVORITE of mine gets beaten by some ''nobody" -- i never take it against that person from 'somewhere unknown" -- i'm already thinking

"WOW -- at least the guy or girl got a nice paycheck for ONCE"!

 

[teddytennisfan]

That was a great match today. I felt bad for Novak, but happy for JMDP who was so emotional. That win meant a lot to him, a harbinger of things to come? Sometimes when a match is that well played you almost hate to see the outcome knowing that one or the other will be crushed at the end, but that's sport. You have to pick yourself up and try to do better the next time.

SAME WITH ME -- i am always so happy for the one that FINALLY won a good , long-awaited one -- but also DREAD it for the loser -- all that heartache..

but -- at the end of the day -- it's what it is -- they're grown up -- they know what they went into. they get over it sooner or later - like most things in life. SCARS are part of it. as much as the nice things.

in ANCIENT GREECE -- the olympics -- scars were considered a BADGE of honor -- to show how much had to be sacrficed to get their glory. and what it all took.

teh MORE champins rode into a town displaying their scars - to reach whatever victories they had -- the MORE the towns celebrated them - and offered them this and that gift , money, lodging, food, whatever.

 

[teddytennisfan]

Haas is another one. It's hard to have a stop-start career when the potential is there. But, like you said, it's never too late and I sincerely hope these guys can get somehow find a way to add to their already illustrious careers and achievements.

a few of them that we are still familiar with in recent decades --

CANAS -- REMEMBER HIM?
RIOS in the 1990's
HAAS of course
MARIO ANCIC
(even TSONGA can be counted among them - it's a miracle he STILL can bring up some tennis in spells..same has been happening with a good part of MONFILS career..
and who can ignore DAVID NALBANDIAN? i mean THAT guy was probably the ONE single player that had NO fear whatsoever of Roger Federer, NOT EVEN being ''mesmerized" by roger's brilliance...who REALLY had the measure of roger's game as far back as when they were juniors.

headcase but - nevermind that -- the BODY was also just breaking down often.
HE should have won - by virtue of TENNIS skills -- that USO finals over Roddick...but the wrist was already broken from the semis...

CORIA was also a superb tactician..

 

[Tennis Fan]

exactly

for me -- that' salways in the back of my mind --e specially about the less successful ones --

remember how - for example MARIO ANCIC? what a loss to the sport , isn't it \? and he had ONE of the most beautiful power games out there -- something along the lines of Delpo really - though perhaps not as agile as JM -- but nothing that couldn't be imroved much with more time and ''career"

but -- how COULD he when his health -- some blood disorder or something -- just would not allow getting any decent traction ? and just when he would emerge threatening to do some damage in the tour - there it goes again for him...so he had to face reality and study law..good for him because at least there was that -- and he probably already had put away enough money to finish a high professional degree for a well-paying job -- but what about still others ? i mean this IS a very expensive career and everything still - in the end -- rests on A MATCH! A few points.....my god!

you have to admire the dedication of these folks, really. and that of their families too.

so you always wish for each of them to be earning SOMETHING TO HELP compensate for all that. especially those who - in the majority -- will never make it to the top -- and those even more who will never even make it past the lowest tiers or draws...

that's why -- even whena FAVORITE of mine gets beaten by some ''nobody" -- i never take it against that person from 'somewhere unknown" -- i'm already thinking

"WOW -- at least the guy or girl got a nice paycheck for ONCE"!

I'm the same way. I love Rafa, but everyone else deserves a chance too, so I don't get disappointed by results. A huge win for a journeyman is a memory that will last forever, not to mention a decent paycheck. Those guys, the uber successful ones and the ones who are struggling to get from one tournament to the next are all equal in my eyes and worthy of respect. Me liking Rafa shouldn't mean me demeaning other players. Some "fans" get it so twisted. Celebrate everyone, your favorite won't mind if you give the next person some credit, LOL.

 

[Tennis Fan]

SAME WITH ME -- i am always so happy for the one that FINALLY won a good , long-awaited one -- but also DREAD it for the loser -- all that heartache..

but -- at the end of the day -- it's what it is -- they're grown up -- they know what they went into. they get over it sooner or later - like most things in life. SCARS are part of it. as much as the nice things.

in ANCIENT GREECE -- the olympics -- scars were considered a BADGE of honor -- to show how much had to be sacrficed to get their glory. and what it all took.

teh MORE champins rode into a town displaying their scars - to reach whatever victories they had -- the MORE the towns celebrated them - and offered them this and that gift , money, lodging, food, whatever.

Me too, teddy. We know going in that someone is going to lose, so it's better to keep things in perspective. Like you said, they know what they signed up for and they also know that they're not going to win every match that they play.

Great story about Ancient Greece. I love stuff like that.

 

[teddytennisfan]

Me too, teddy. We know going in that someone is going to lose, so it's better to keep things in perspective. Like you said, they know what they signed up for and they also know that they're not going to win every match that they play.

Great story about Ancient Greece. I love stuff like that.

i read up a bit on the greek olympics -- when greece hosted it..
that's how i learned a bit that the original was a YEARLY ...
AND VERY brutal..some events were actually to the death - such as pugilists/wrestlers who used every kind of technic -- including BITING off ears...and so bloody..

and how all kinds of ''performance enhancing" treatments were fair game..whoever could afford or get it -- get the 'blessings' of gods being part of that - such as drinking special potions to make them stronger...in other words -- there was no such thing as our modern day ""drug committees".

and a far more brutal competitiveness...

EXCEPT for one thing that the publics NEVER forgave..

if a contestant cheated DURING an event -- such as a a runner elbowing another runner or tripping him...

they had ''watchers" everywhere whose task was to watch the contestants -- and if they were caught -- they'd be beaten up and their names hung on the temple fronts for all to see forever as ''cheats" .

and it also , indeed, a commercial event - in the sense that the annuals were the big events for kingdoms to ply their trades , prodcuts, etc...and merchants were everywhere - like a kind of 'free-for-all" and that's partly where those early ''christians" like ''st paul epistle to the athenians" - competing with another person reciting his philosophy in competition..that kind of thing.

 

[Tennis Fan]

a few of them that we are still familiar with in recent decades --

CANAS -- REMEMBER HIM?
RIOS in the 1990's
HAAS of course
MARIO ANCIC
(even TSONGA can be counted among them - it's a miracle he STILL can bring up some tennis in spells..same has been happening with a good part of MONFILS career..
and who can ignore DAVID NALBANDIAN? i mean THAT guy was probably the ONE single player that had NO fear whatsoever of Roger Federer, NOT EVEN being ''mesmerized" by roger's brilliance...who REALLY had the measure of roger's game as far back as when they were juniors.

headcase but - nevermind that -- the BODY was also just breaking down often.
HE should have won - by virtue of TENNIS skills -- that USO finals over Roddick...but the wrist was already broken from the semis...

CORIA was also a superb tactician..

I agree. I like a lot of players. I think everyone brings something different; tennis skills, shot-making, flair, humor, all of these attributes are good in my eyes.

I liked Canas. He was workmanlike. He came to the court to win, at all times and seemed to be a great sportsmen. Canas wasn't intimidated by anyone. He came to do what he had to do. Cool guy.

That was sad with Mario Ancic, but he was fortunate enough to have the best of both worlds. Though his stay was brief, it was still memorable and people still talk about him from time to time. So good for him.

Oh Haas. I loved Haas with his head case self, LOL. So much talent, beauty and grace. He just couldn't handle his emotions, but what a beautiful player to watch.

Rios used to mesmerize me with his court flair. That man was smoother than butter. Did you know that he came from a very wealthy family? I think that interfered with his tennis. How motivated can you be when you enjoy tremendous wealth and talent and it all appears to come so effortlessly. His mastery of the court was unparalleled and he looked smooth doing it.

Yeah, Tsonga seems to following the same script; immensely talented, but injury prone, him and Monfils.

Nalbandian? Beautiful striker of the ball. Loved watching him when he wanted to compete.

I liked Coria too, he was like a mosquito on court, irritating the heck out of his opponents and irritating them. I don't know what happened with him. He seemed to just go away.

I liked Gaudio too. I thought he played beautiful tennis and made awesome gets, but mostly he seemed to have fun on the court. He was a pleasure to watch.

Currently, I like watching Monaco, Sousa from Portugal, Paire when he's on, and a whole host of others. That's the beauty of tennis, all the different styles, personalities, and skill sets. I've hung with this sport longer than any other.

 

[Tennis Fan]

exactly

for me -- that' salways in the back of my mind --e specially about the less successful ones --

remember how - for example MARIO ANCIC? what a loss to the sport , isn't it \? and he had ONE of the most beautiful power games out there -- something along the lines of Delpo really - though perhaps not as agile as JM -- but nothing that couldn't be imroved much with more time and ''career"

but -- how COULD he when his health -- some blood disorder or something -- just would not allow getting any decent traction ? and just when he would emerge threatening to do some damage in the tour - there it goes again for him...so he had to face reality and study law..good for him because at least there was that -- and he probably already had put away enough money to finish a high professional degree for a well-paying job -- but what about still others ? i mean this IS a very expensive career and everything still - in the end -- rests on A MATCH! A few points.....my god!

you have to admire the dedication of these folks, really. and that of their families too.

so you always wish for each of them to be earning SOMETHING TO HELP compensate for all that. especially those who - in the majority -- will never make it to the top -- and those even more who will never even make it past the lowest tiers or draws...

that's why -- even whena FAVORITE of mine gets beaten by some ''nobody" -- i never take it against that person from 'somewhere unknown" -- i'm already thinking

"WOW -- at least the guy or girl got a nice paycheck for ONCE"!

That's because you have a great attitude. We should all be happy when some Joe Schmo gets a big paycheck and an everlasting memory, after all it doesn't cost us anything.

 

[Tennis Fan]

i read up a bit on the greek olympics -- when greece hosted it..
that's how i learned a bit that the original was a YEARLY ...
AND VERY brutal..some events were actually to the death - such as pugilists/wrestlers who used every kind of technic -- including BITING off ears...and so bloody..

and how all kinds of ''performance enhancing" treatments were fair game..whoever could afford or get it -- get the 'blessings' of gods being part of that - such as drinking special potions to make them stronger...in other words -- there was no such thing as our modern day ""drug committees".

and a far more brutal competitiveness...

EXCEPT for one thing that the publics NEVER forgave..

if a contestant cheated DURING an event -- such as a a runner elbowing another runner or tripping him...

they had ''watchers" everywhere whose task was to watch the contestants -- and if they were caught -- they'd be beaten up and their names hung on the temple fronts for all to see forever as ''cheats" .

and it also , indeed, a commercial event - in the sense that the annuals were the big events for kingdoms to ply their trades , prodcuts, etc...and merchants were everywhere - like a kind of 'free-for-all" and that's partly where those early ''christians" like ''st paul epistle to the athenians" - competing with another person reciting his philosophy in competition..that kind of thing.

Good stuff, Teddy; enjoying it!

 

[teddytennisfan]

there was one good run by NALBANDIAN after yet another bout of absence - when for a spell his body cooperated -- and he was showing that old form that until then FEW - except nadal - were bringing against Federer...remember those several years back? where david had i think 2 or 3 consecutive wins -- like in their very early careers?

and he was asked how come he was so different that way when everyone else almost just bowed to roger ...

and he said:" maybe because I am not afraid of him or his aura -- maybe because i don't think of him like most people do".

and john mcenroe commentating on a match said:

"many years ago - when david and his group were just coming up -- and against roddick in the USO 2003 -- i commented from the booth that i didn't think much of david at all...i must say now -- i was, very , VERY wrong...THIS guy is one heck of an intelligent player".

remember how a fami;ly member of his was KIDNAPPED for money? presumably that cost them a lot of money -- even if coming from an ''upper class" . but things like that can change careers, after all.

 

[teddytennisfan]

just to point out:

according to TENNIS.COM article -- the fans were divided in their cheering:

argentines for delpo -- understandable...
but the brazilians matched them for nole.

that was nice . and then both men cried together in the end. in joy and sorrow. amazing. really.

now it moves on -- and hard to wait for the next round matches! let's wish them ALL good playing and no injuries. !