Roland Garros / French Open 2025 [Men] - Grand Slam

[MargaretMcAleer]

When we look back in a few years (and Fonseca has a few slams under his belt), this will be the match we point to where we knew for sure that Fonseca was going to be something special. What Hurkacz did to Federer that July day at Wimbledon, Fonseca did that today to Hurkacz.

I am looking at some of these postings while I am having a drink on my holidays
Jesus Phil, again Hubi did what Federer that day in July at Wimbledon
Did you actually watch the match? if you did you would know that Fed was having major knee problems in 2021?
Dont make me laugh it wasnt special
Young Fonseca has more variery in his game than Hubi will ever have when he gets his game all together will be a Force on the mens tour, I had no worries that Foneca would beat Hubi in his first round match, I suggest you start watching Fonseca's matches
Mrzz must be delighted

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Also before I go
Draper will be now No 4 in the live rankings as Fritz lost in his first round match

 

[El Dude]

Felix choked away a two set lead. Again. He's now lost the last three five setters while being up 2-0 in each.

 

[El Dude]

I was browsing stats and I saw something that really drove home that Next Gen is fading. Consider best seasons by Win%, which while not perfect is a good indicator of day-in, day-out performance. In reverse chronological order:

Paul (2024, 70%)
Hurkacz (2024, 68%)
Fritz (2023-24, 70%)
Medvedev (2021, 83%)
Zverev (2021, 80%)
Tsitsipas (2021, 74%)
Ruud (2021, 77%)
Berrettini (2021, 77%)
Rublev (2020, 80%)
Thiem (2020, 74%)

Those are probably the ten best players born 1994 to 1998, with Thiem thrown in as an "in-betweener" between Lost and Next Gens, sort of like Ruud is for Next and Millenial Gens (1999-2003). I start the new gen with Alex De Minaur.

Anyhow, half of those guys had their best W% in 2021, and 7 of 10 2020-21. Fritz, Hurkacz, and Paul could all be considered late-bloomers, though it is looking like Fritz is also turning the corner. But basically the cohort, as a whole, peaked in 2021 - four years ago now.

Here's a stat that really brings this to light: From 2021 to 2025, Stefanos Tsitsipas' W% has gone down each year. Medvedev's has gone down four of five years, going up one year, 2023, which is now looking like his Indian Summer. Rublev's has gone down each year from 2022 on. Zverev has been more up and down, with 2024 being his second highest W%.

Anyhow, it is looking like almost all of them are in decline - except Paul, Ruud, and Maybe Zverev. Everyone else has a clear trend of decline. Crazy how the "Next Gen" is now heading in that direction!

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for French Open, Day 4 Round 2, May 28, 2025

 

[mrzz]

Mrzz must be delighted

Could not watch the match, but yeah, very happy with the result. I was a bit worried about the "mini-slump", as @El Dude put it. On the other hand, I know the kid is streaky. He has a very winnable R2, if he wins again with autorithy, whoever he gets in R3 will be veeeery worried to say the least.

I just watched some highlights, reasonably long, but still highligths. But even gauging for that he looked pretty damn impressive. The sustained aggression, the ability to raise his own level when the guy on the other side of the net demands you that.

Well, the players I like were dropping like flies. I guess I only have him and Rublev left to root for.

 

[El Dude]

Could not watch the match, but yeah, very happy with the result. I was a bit worried about the "mini-slump", as @El Dude put it. On the other hand, I know the kid is streaky. He has a very winnable R2, if he wins again with autorithy, whoever he gets in R3 will be veeeery worried to say the least.

I just watched some highlights, reasonably long, but still highligths. But even gauging for that he looked pretty damn impressive. The sustained aggression, the ability to raise his own level when the guy on the other side of the net demands you that.

Well, the players I like were dropping like flies. I guess I only have him and Rublev left to root for.

As I think I said above, it was probably the best I've seen him play. He just seemed to know what he was doing. Sort of like the free confidence of the Next Gen finals into the Rublev match, but with greater variation and refinement. He didn't seem like he was fighting for every point, set and match like he did back in Buenos Aires. Kind of impressive how he seemed to take a step forward since like a month ago.

Of course he could fall back in the next match. But any tiny big of doubt that crept in over the last couple months is gone.

 

[Moxie]

Felix choked away a two set lead. Again. He's now lost the last three five setters while being up 2-0 in each.

I didn't see this match, just the scores, but I thought, "Oh, Felix!" Now, compare this with Gael Monfils' match today. Got banged up in the second game, in a fall. Palms bleeding, knee bruised. 38 years old. Down 2 sets to love. Comes ALL the way back. What Gael has, Felix lacks. Well, no one is Gael Monfils, but you get my point.

 

[Moxie]

Hopefully not. Anyone please but Alcaraz and Sinner.

What have you got against those guys? Shall I guess? You go off on everyone at the least whiff of doping, so I guess that's Sinner done for you. Must be that.

But Alcaraz? He's so fun to watch! Too much of a reminder of Nadal? What else could it be? That you hate to see two players winning everything? You didn't hate it when it was Federer. Otherwise, why so against these great new tennis champions?

 

[Jelenafan]

It’s kind of a bummer that the two very young dark horse clay court players ( outside of Alcaraz) in the top 15, Little Holger Rune & Musseti are slated to meet in the round of 16.

What have you got against those guys? Shall I guess? You go off on everyone at the least whiff of doping, so I guess that's Sinner done for you. Must be that.

But Alcaraz? He's so fun to watch! Too much of a reminder of Nadal? What else could it be? That you hate to see two players winning everything? You didn't hate it when it was Federer. Otherwise, why so against these great new tennis champions?

Maybe you’re reading too much and over analyzing Front’s dislikes, you know sometimes we can’t stand certain players. Just because.

It happens. ; )

 

[don_fabio]

I didn't see this match, just the scores, but I thought, "Oh, Felix!" Now, compare this with Gael Monfils' match today. Got banged up in the second game, in a fall. Palms bleeding, knee bruised. 38 years old. Down 2 sets to love. Comes ALL the way back. What Gael has, Felix lacks. Well, no one is Gael Monfils, but you get my point.

Le Monf is a legend. The only problem is he probably won't be able to run much in R2.

 

[don_fabio]

What's up with Alcaraz's hair cut? They say the difference between good and bad haircut is two weeks, so he'll look okay for the trophy ceremony.

 

[don_fabio]

Ruud is heading straight to depression again if not already there.

 

[kskate2]

Not sure what his fascination is w/ this particular cut. He was more effective when he was hairier in R1. Guess he doesn't carry that superstition of not shaving during the tourney.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

I think he got that done on purpose.

 

[Fiero425]

It’s kind of a bummer that the two very young dark horse clay court players ( outside of Alcaraz) in the top 15, Little Holger Rune & Musetti are slated to meet in the round of 16.

Maybe you’re reading too much and over analyzing Front’s dislikes, you know sometimes we can’t stand certain players. Just because.

It happens. ; )

Amen & hallelujah to that! From the very beginning of my tennis career as an avid player, teacher, & fan, there have been players that I just didn't particularly care for! Plenty of people feel the same; it's "unconscious" at times! It could be there look, the way they play the game, their demeanor on the court, or behavior off of it! My hate list thru the ages: Connors, Evert, McEnroe, Graf, Seles, Agassi, Nadal, now Alcaraz & Sinner! Carlito's the most talented of players I've ever seen; including the time of mastery w/ McEnroe in '84, but there's something that really bugs me about him! It's probably the channeling of Nadal's arrogance, then being a "hotdog" trying to make the Sport's highlite reel! Sinner's winning w/ mirrors IMO! Ignoring the susp. & the reasons behind it, I can't see him staying at the top playing this game of attrition just mindlessly bashing the ball! All players are compromised by playing the game like this! A week of success guarantees nothing but a possible upset early or WD the following week! It has to be figured into their schedules more & more! The last minute changes must be insane to keep up with w/ the players, agents, management, sponsors, etc.!

 

[Fiero425]

I was half listening to TCC Live where most including Lindsey Dav. thought Tommy Paul should win handily; probably in straight sets! The curse continues as Paul is fighting for his life against Fucsovics down 2 sets to 1, & a break in the 4th! They'll never learn! We can't predict success like we used to! The "consistency theory" of things just isn't there in today's game w/ today's players! Upsets & WD's have changed the landscape of things! Even w/ the superior talents of Sincaraz, upsets will occur more & more IMO! The top 30-80 players are capable more than anytime in the past! Normally after the top 3 or 4, the level of play usually dropped off a cliff! W/ players today, anything can happen on a given day! I was shocked to see Carlos dropping a set today vs Marozsán! WHO? End rant!

 

[Fiero425]

That was wierd w/ upset of #31 Mpetshi Perricard! His opp., Džumhur was so ""zoned in" he didn't realize the match was over! He had won!

 

[don_fabio]

Stefanos gone tits-up. Lost to an Italian qualifier named Gigante.

 

[Fiero425]

Stefanos gone tits-up. Lost to an Italian qualifier named Gigante.

I do believe Stefanos will drop out of the Top 20! Wow! What a fall from grace! This has nothing to do w/ an injury! Players like Tsitsipas, Ruud, Rublev, FAA, Tiafoe, Fritz, & others on that 2nd or 3rd tier of players are being overtaken! The depth in men's tennis has improved exponentially, but still isn't watchable IMO!