ATP Race: Rafael Nadal Ranks Behind Sam Querrey, Guido Pella And Taylor Fritz In 2016

Click bait.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:42 am

If rafa lost before QF at IW,he will lost point even more..

March 1st, 2016 at 11:19 am

Proving once again that Rafa is synonymous with Tennis more than any other player in the history of the game given the attention he continues to receive when he hasn’t even played in two weeks.

So desperate to protect St. Roger’s legacy.

March 1st, 2016 at 11:33 am

Hi AM, why is there no mention, that St. Roger is behind Thiem in Rankings in 2016?

March 1st, 2016 at 12:19 pm

Well Thiem has been playing (and winning) a lot, and as we know Roger hasn’t played since the AO due to injury. So no surprise that Roger isn’t that high up on the standings.

But does this list really mean anything at this time of the year? Do any of us really expect that Inigo Cervantes is going to end the year ranked #25? (Now watch it happen because I said that)

March 1st, 2016 at 12:38 pm

Yes, I do agree, elina, Nadal has become synonymous with bad tennis by a top tennis player.

March 1st, 2016 at 12:39 pm

Thiem will gaine more points in March, if he does play well the entire year, we could see im in London at the O2. I wonder, how will Roger keep up after the injury

March 1st, 2016 at 12:43 pm

Exactly RZ, St. Roger was looking pretty good at this early point in 2013 and yet in 2014-2015 he played some of the best tennis of his career (according to Him).

Markus doesn’t get it. It’s not about Nadal, but about the so-called writers who try to denounce him. Hope this helps!

In a similar way, you just have to look at how the media is ignoring Nole’s chance to hold all four slams at the same time if he wins the French desperately trying to overshadow this opportunity by focusing again on the calendar slam.

You can bet your bottom dollar that this would be a much bigger deal if it was St. Roger in Nole’s place.

March 1st, 2016 at 12:58 pm

This is click bait insofar as people think there’s a huge difference between the Race rankings and the 52-week rolling rankings…which there is, but the difference becomes negligible as the year progresses and the two rankings align.

At the moment, the point is that Nadal is off to a very bad start to the year, and to the extent that he continues to play worse than himself last year, he’ll continue to drop in the rankings until his 52-week rolling ranking hovers around where it is in the Race.

He needs to post some good results in the desert and Miami to keep his confidence from completely deserting him before the clay swing.

March 1st, 2016 at 1:00 pm

I think it’s good that the media ignore Nole’s chance to hold all 4 slams.

Nole to ‘ghost in’ unnoticed for the win :) shh…

March 1st, 2016 at 1:03 pm

even if he will not be the best in March on hard courts, he will recover on clay…would not be worried for Rafas ranking points for now

March 1st, 2016 at 1:05 pm

^^ for Rafa

March 1st, 2016 at 1:06 pm

I put a bet with a colleague, that St. Roger will be out top 5 at the end of this year, I usually win bets

March 1st, 2016 at 1:09 pm

Hey VP,they don’t want to bother rog now..he seems to have a good time with leo..

March 1st, 2016 at 1:18 pm

“Rafael Nadal Ranks Behind Sam Querrey”.

Not surprising.

March 1st, 2016 at 1:25 pm

VP,sori babe..i have to disagree with you at 1:05pm,somehow in my guts i still believe rafa will not gain many points come clay season,he will get super nervous knowing people expect him to give the best on clay and he still sucks in handling his nerves..

March 1st, 2016 at 1:31 pm

AM, I guess he will be ok. Not like in 2010, but will be better yhen last year.

March 1st, 2016 at 1:33 pm

Roger Federer ranks behind Pablo Cuevas.
Not surprising.

March 1st, 2016 at 1:34 pm

I’m so afraid to believe you VP,but we’ll see..we already seen how the young guns blasted the tour the last couple of weeks..i don’t think rafa will survive them if they’ll meet somewhere..he don’t have an armour right now..

March 1st, 2016 at 1:43 pm

Rafa has done enough in his career for this fan to be satisfied with his achievements,no matter what happens next,but i guess that wont be enough for some,and his fans acceptance will never be accepted anyway?.

March 1st, 2016 at 1:45 pm

jalep, and it will continue to be further ignored and down played should it happen with all focus put on a possible calendar slam in desperate hopes that it doesn’t happen.

March 1st, 2016 at 1:56 pm

Well AM, perhaps Rafa will surprise you again, perhaps not..and if not, you should think like Green lady :)
And there is Thiem now for you in the court…;)
GG, nice to have you here again ;)

March 1st, 2016 at 1:58 pm

Elina, somehow I am glad, that they are not talking too much about the possible calendr slam, because if he fails, it will be worse afterwards

March 1st, 2016 at 2:01 pm

Andy Murray hasn’t played much either.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:01 pm

VP, it will only be talked about in any significance if he does fail.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:03 pm

For Rafal to get within the 8 race to London, there’s only 3 he has to beat.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:04 pm

Andy will be in top 3 for sure this year, has also great chances to get 1-2 GS

March 1st, 2016 at 2:12 pm

And yet, I like it, elina. Less hype is better, imo. Getting a Calendar Slam – don’t care about it. FO is what my mind is on. And Olympics – those are his goals, he says.

As far as race to London, I only follow it to remind me who has won a tournament at this point in the season.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:13 pm

My only hope is, that Nole takes the FO…Andy showed us last year he can be enoyng good on clay

March 1st, 2016 at 2:15 pm

The big surprise with Rafa being behind Querrey is that Querrey actually had a decent February. Hadn’t seen that from him for a while.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:20 pm

St Roger? The anti Feds come up with a new name yet once again. Congrats on the continual jealousy.
I’ll stick with Roger Federer.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:23 pm

@Elina, Jalep, and Van Persie – I think part of the reason that the media isn’t talking as much about the possibility for the calendar slam for Nole is that they are still burned out from the Serena’s near miss last year. But I bet as soon as the French rolls around, the talk will start up again.

What I’m wondering is how come no one is talking about the possibility of a calendar slam for Kerber? :-)

March 1st, 2016 at 2:25 pm

Thankyou VP.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:28 pm

Hmm..yeah..no worries..i just thought this site was create for discussion..and what has been said was a reality that surrounded rafa that we can’t ignore..everybody talking about rafa now..from pat cash to johny mac to jean paul belmondo who blatantly telling us that rafa already reached his final stop..is this people try to belittling rafa?no..they’re not..they criticised rafa because they cared so much..because they think rafa can still produce something worthy knowing how great a champion that he is..and why may i ask you we cannot talk or criticise rafa?That’s what fan should do..because they cared..that’s a normal reaction for a human being..

March 1st, 2016 at 2:30 pm

AndyMira was that post for me?

March 1st, 2016 at 2:41 pm

“VP, it will only be talked about in any significance if he does fail.”

Elina,
Exactly, just watch this place if Nole fails.

March 1st, 2016 at 2:41 pm

AM, you are right. Thea idea is, you have to give Rafa some improvement chances, or this kind of sites with their headlines eat him alive.

March 1st, 2016 at 3:04 pm

RZ, I think you missed my point – they do talk about the calendar slam (but ignore his huge opportunity to hold all four slams which he can achieve by winning the French).

I think it’s working.

March 1st, 2016 at 3:10 pm

I think RZ would rather write this about Kerber, then about Nole ;)….New material?

March 1st, 2016 at 3:13 pm

@Elina – whether it’s the career slam or the calendar slam, I think my point about media burnout and timing (i.e., more attention as the French approaches) is the same. But you’re right that if Nole wins the French, he should get huge props for holding all 4 slams at the same time.

@Van Persie – LOL. Well if a calendar slam is in the books for Kerber, I think a lot would and should be written about it as it would go down as the most unexpected event in tennis ever.

March 1st, 2016 at 5:01 pm

Should Nole win the French, which is not as easy as some Nole fans believe because Andy Murray has ended the great question on the men’s Tour. Which was how is it that Andy has the perfect game for clay, yet sucked so bad. 2015 is when he stopped sucking. Gave Nole a classic or near classic semi at the French, won Madrid.
But one thing that will help Novak is the hype will only start if he somehow wins both Wimbledon andthe French Open. So less pressure and nagging questions about his Greatness, Laver, and the rendezvous with history. The way odds work is if Nole somehow starts the prohibitive favorite 50-50 at both, he only has a 1 in four chance of winning the two, odds of the arbitrary “calendar year Grand Slam” fall to 1 in 8 if he is the probitive player to win there as well. Realistically, it will be tougher odds than 1 in 8, since his odds from the 1st Round on at each event will be less than him having a 50% shot at beating the entire field.
He just gets the French, the gold medal and the Championships that would be awesome enough to me.

Thinking there is going to be Nole with 6 Slams in a row in all likelihood – would be ridiculous.

March 1st, 2016 at 6:12 pm

Van Persie Says:
Andy will be in top 3 for sure this year, has also great chances to get 1-2 GS

===================
I want Andy back in his 2012 form, just not this year. I’m rooting Nole all the way at the big events, IW, MIami, and Cincinnati.
And I’d like to see Rafa improve enough to get a Masters. Just not the 1st 2 in the USA, the 3 clay Masters, or Cincinnati.

March 1st, 2016 at 6:18 pm

This article gives stats. on Singles Race to London:
What it doesn’t show is the number of matches each Player played to get achieve his stats, (e.g. Thiem played 6 matches):

Nadal + 2 others played 4 matches
7 players (incl. Thiem) played 6 matches
2 players played 5 matches
1 player played 7 matches
1 player played 8 matches

For me this is relevant to a player’s position. Yes? No? As far as Nadal goes there are at least 11 players who had to play more matches to surpass his points..

March 1st, 2016 at 6:36 pm

This article would make sense if it was posted after FO, this way it is only click bite and to make certain people happy reading the title of this thread.
Let’s wait until after the FO for any serious judgment of where is Rafa heading.

March 1st, 2016 at 6:55 pm

For the pseudo St. Roger name fan club:

“Roger Federer Did A Tequila Slammer. Because He’s Roger Federer.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/02/29/red-carpet-federer-tequila_n_9352522.html

Slam em Fed.

March 1st, 2016 at 7:42 pm

J-kath..no,it’s very irrelevant..rafa has played less matches because he was knocked out in the earlier stages of the tournamets he entered..he has already participated in 4 tournaments(2 250s,1 gs,1 500)..if rafa version of 2006-13 played as many tournaments within the end of february(2 of them clay),he would surely be number 1 or 2 in the atp race..

March 1st, 2016 at 7:55 pm

Nadal, who is synonymous to tennis, is behind 20 people some of them I don’t even know.

March 1st, 2016 at 8:00 pm

The media is not talking about Djokovic holding all 4 slams because the French is still several months away. When it gets near that day, the media will say a lot about it. Have some patience. Stop being so paranoid. It’s not good for your mental health.

March 1st, 2016 at 8:06 pm

I am pretty sure there is no full stop behind abbreviation of the word Saint, it should be St Roger and not St. Roger, very important for the loyal worshippers of the order of St Roger..but English is not my first language..

March 1st, 2016 at 8:18 pm

You and ekina invented St/St./Saint Roger, not any Fed fan here.

March 1st, 2016 at 8:32 pm

Still, you are obliged to write properly as it is expected from any loyal follower of the order, otherwise it is disrespectful towards St Roger..

March 1st, 2016 at 8:35 pm

I feel so proud and happy whenever Roger is in the news, which is all the time. That’s what happen when you are great. Some people, on the other hand, fume so much about it. That just makes my smile even wider. I picked the rght guy to cheer for.

March 1st, 2016 at 8:45 pm

You people are crazy if you think the 4 in a row Novak Slam won’t get media coverage. Once MC begins the hype will be huge. There is no pointing on talking about it now as IW (first Masters) hasn’t even started yet.
And this constant obsession with Federer and finding a way to relate everything with him just adds up to his sainthood: It’s not the media, is you!

Race points for Nadal will only be a concern after clay season where he bulked most of his points in the past. Last year which was one of his worst he won above 1500 pts which with his 400 is good to put him safe in top 8, easily.

March 1st, 2016 at 8:53 pm

Ok, Daniel is the third on on my list, from this thread, as the founding member of the future Shrine of St Roger..and don’t worry, I won’t point on yours spelling mistakes, you are the only one on TX that is worse in that matter than me and I need you here;)
Besides, you like Nole and are good with stats, so you are safe..

March 1st, 2016 at 9:04 pm

Look out! Its the Nole AU Police!

March 1st, 2016 at 9:17 pm

The reason Markus hasn’t heard of the Top 20 is because you are a St Roger worshipper and less a fan of tennis.

When seeing St Roger’s rookie reaction to what looked like his first shot ever, Andy Roddick tweeted:

“I’m pretty sure I could beat him at this ……. ”

https://twitter.com/andyroddick/status/704705788745490432

March 1st, 2016 at 9:25 pm

Also, when Roger were going for Federer Slam in RG 2006 and RG 2007 there were hardly any mention of it in the Feb-March Spam, it only began when clay kicked in. As it should happen this year, same with Novak in 2012 RG when he went for Djoko Slam as well.

And no way people will demerit him if he does the 4 in a row but doesn’t do 4th year.

It will be an unprecedented achievement in almost 40 years with different surfaces, very different than what Laver did.

It will be the ultimate tennis achievement of Open Era.
But doing the Grand Slam is like a Royal Street Flush.

March 1st, 2016 at 9:41 pm

Look out Markus! Now the St Rafole police are after you!

March 1st, 2016 at 9:53 pm

elina is so full of jelousy and paranoia that she has lost the ability to read or comprehend. How can I not have “heard of the top 20” when the player who I “worship” is right there, sitting 12 rungs higher than the guy whose name is synonymous with tennis?

March 1st, 2016 at 9:56 pm

Not quite AU police, I was usually on the other side of the fence, but you can call me the founding member of “AU Wog Boys Nole Club” therefore every member is obliged to keep an eye on the opposition clubs and organizations and act accordingly..and neutralize them..

March 1st, 2016 at 10:11 pm

Thanks for the warning, skeezer. But don’t worry because The Force is with me/us.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:16 pm

That dude, Fed7ard, is much better sticking to his one sentence smarta$$ posts. The moment he goes for two or more sentences he reveals how shallow and empty headed he is, or she is.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:17 pm

Jesus, it is really boring without tennis, so I have to kill the times somehow, even if that means lowering my standards and talking to the plebs…jbg..

March 1st, 2016 at 10:21 pm

Lowering the standards here is your SOP.
Talking tennis here went bye bye along time ago.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:26 pm

That’s a nice tactic when one runs out of valid arguments: insult the opponent. Unfortunately, such tactic is so obvious to any reader that the insult simply boomerangs back to who threw it.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:31 pm

You are free to ask Sean to ban me or to change the site, no one is forcing you to read or hang around, capicsce?

March 1st, 2016 at 10:33 pm

Stick with one sentence posts, please..don’t let the people know how shallow you are. Stay true to yourself..and don’t forget to use those big sounding words, but in one sentence, ok?

March 1st, 2016 at 10:36 pm

That’s another tactic, act like you are being bullied.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:39 pm

Good, this time around you came up with one sentence, and you can see improvement immediately, like Roger’s with Ljubicic..

March 1st, 2016 at 10:41 pm

Thanks for the compliment. Indeed, I’d rather have the Roger/Ljubicic tandem than the Rafa/uncle Toni right now. Sorry to exceed your one sentence edict.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:52 pm

To be fair, at least it’s a slight improvement to “Shammon”, “Nailed it “or the even more colloquial “Preach it” exhaustively used by St Roger’s no. 1 apostle and protector.

March 1st, 2016 at 10:57 pm

“Sorry to exceed your one sentence edict.”

That’s ok, it takes time to get rid of certain habits.

March 1st, 2016 at 11:16 pm

Oh no, nothing tops the St Roger jealous dig, that…..is obvious. Especially from a closet Rafa fan fanatic who’s fav is bottom feeding atm.
Only fair.

March 1st, 2016 at 11:19 pm

“it takes time to get rid of certain habits.”
Yes, Fed jealousy habits die hard.
Focus on praising Nole, not whining about the greatest of all time.
17.

March 1st, 2016 at 11:24 pm

When nothing is going your way, desperation kicks in..

March 1st, 2016 at 11:42 pm

Hehe, it is so relaxing to read the comments :)

Skeezer man, you have only 1-2 fest ideas, but they are well fixed in your head. Change the repertoir a bit ;)

March 1st, 2016 at 11:56 pm

VP,
As the one who brought “shamoon” to this place, am insulted that you accuse me of such minimal ideas…quite the contrar!
Others need to change their head, not me 🎾
—
“When nothing is going your way, desperation kicks in..”
So true…so give it a kick bloke!

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:02 am

May I please ask you, what is going your way these days, in terme of tennis I mean?You will have yo wait until April to see your guy :)
So: who’s the desperate here now?

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:08 am

Tel him VP, tell him..

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:17 am

Lol WB relegated to cheerleader. Never expected he’d hide behnd someone else.
—-
Go VP!
When you have 17 everything is going your way unitl someone comes along to break it. Life at the all time top is solitary, deserved, respected and f i n e. Haters keep chasin that jealousy train ;)
Are we all done “teasin” now? Back to the Warriors B Ball, Shamoon!

March 2nd, 2016 at 1:39 am

Skeezer, I guess WB is tired to tell you the same thing over and over again. Me being new here, I still have some patience. It is not like, he’s hiding behind someone else.

And again…this thing with jealousy, Man , I really think you have got an obsession. If he would have to hear you live, I gues, you would sound like a parrot.;)

March 2nd, 2016 at 1:53 am

Correction: If we would have to hear you live, not if he…

March 2nd, 2016 at 1:59 am

VP,
You say your new here, so be careful who your callng a parrot. The question you need to ask yourself is, where did this all start? My remarks are only in response to the ridlculous jealousy from the long continiuos undeserved remarks from certain haters who pi$$ on a player to try to make theirs look better.
Fed is no “Saint”, he is human, and has is personality flaws like anyone else. I have been on record critizing him when due. But to continually challenge and or demean his achievements / accomplishments to prop up your fav is pathetic jealousy, thats all that it is.
;)

March 2nd, 2016 at 2:04 am

Rafa will win the French open & reclaim the number 1 ranking from my idol Nole Djokovic in 2017
That’s my prediction

March 2nd, 2016 at 2:12 am

1.”You say your new here, so be careful who your callng a parrot”: If I was talking to the president of USA, I am apologizing.

2. For the rest of your comment I can only say: nobody diminishes the achievement of Feg. We “tennis fans” are only tired to see, that only Federer matters, quite all the other tennis players are ignored. Ok, I can live with that. There is a so called “majority” (beeing in majority does not make you always smart) , who need this kind of articles, in order to be happy. But you cannot take my right, from having my fun and keep on posting here ;)

March 2nd, 2016 at 2:38 am

“Lol WB relegated to cheerleader. Never expected he’d hide behnd someone else.”

Wrong again, Wog Boy never hides behind anyone, Wog Boy is the one who doesn’t say “Charge”, but “Follow me” if you know the difference between two. I was in army (corporal), not sure if you have ever put military uniform on?

Wog Boy is just having a great fun on one the boring days here in Sydney, and enjoining it, teasing fired up St Roger fans.

As for desperation, how on earth fan of the best player on earth since 2011 can be desperate, if anything he can be over the moon, on the other hand, the GOAT and his worshippers are desperate to see him going out with a bang, he missed his chance in 2012, now he will most likely go out with a whimper, thanks VP for trying to explane, but I gave up, it doesn’t work with somebody who repeats like a parrot…#17..#17..#17…

March 2nd, 2016 at 2:44 am

Lol, not much “real” tennis on at the mo. I guess?

March 2nd, 2016 at 3:11 am

WB, no need to thank me. For you, always a pleasure ;)

March 2nd, 2016 at 4:02 am

@ El_Matador: I’m not disagreeing with your comments per se – but you are taking a different angle than I did. Agreed Rafa had some earlish removals from matches – but what I was trying to show was the nos. of matches 11 other players had to play to get sufficient points to currentlt surpass Rafa.

Yes, Rafa can make it up…and qualify for the O2 – Roger had to push himself one year to do so and the following year Andy had to do the same.

March 2nd, 2016 at 4:13 am

Margot….2 more days to go…..as I’m sure you’ve noted 6 hours on BBC2…. Wonder if Kim will be there?

March 2nd, 2016 at 4:16 am

Some commentators just can’t seem to stop bringing up Rog in every article lol. 3 comments in and the hate-fest begins. It’s kind of pathetic when you think about it. The title of this article is also pretty pathetic in how click-baity it is. Anyone who has been following Rafa’s year knows it hasn’t been his best. But give the guy a break. He’s not in his prime anymore but so what. Fans will still come to watch and support him regardless of the results.

March 2nd, 2016 at 4:46 am

Tennisfan – Some players level drops precipitously around 20-33. I hope Nadal is not one of them but if he is, fans will find it hard to watch him play like a shell of what he once was.
Federer is different. His game has not suffered as much with the drop in foot speed because of how he plays.He can compensate somewhat for slow, not getting in perfect position with a larger racket. HIs back is now better than Rafa’s. His fans have the hope with each and every match, even when he faces Novak at a Slam – that he can carry the day.
Contrast that hope with the grim Rafa fans, who are not as optimistic that Rafa is in it to win it.
And David Ferrer is still a bear (or little beast) to play and hes a year behind Fed, and Stan is older than Rafa. It would be good if Nadal could somehow get his mental game back. Physically, he has been one of a handful of world class athletes in the ATP. He can be formidable even with some physical decline. He has margin.

March 2nd, 2016 at 5:31 am

CF1
Yep I agree with you, I hope he can strengthen his resolve and get some confidence back in his game. I guess it must be hard for anyone that’s had Rafa’s level of success to suddenly have these kinds of results. But as expected he’s not giving up so let’s hope things improve. But it does annoy me to see the media is back with its sensationalism talking as if Rafa is done for. Not like Nadal has anything to prove at this point anyway.

March 2nd, 2016 at 5:50 am

With Nadal not dominant on clay anymore and Djoko almost sweeping last year (he won MC, Rome and finals RG) I am curious to see of Murray will be challenge Djoko there or any of this other players. A lot of them showed they can play on clay: Thiem, Cuevas plus the usuals: Ferrer, Fognini.

Either Djoko will dominate again and finally get RG, or this could be an open clay season as we don’t have since 2004.

March 2nd, 2016 at 10:20 am

Daniel .. agree. IF ( big IF ) Nadal stays in this funk it will be an interesting year. The pieces are set up for a Nole dominant year, but also leaves holes open for other players. The exciting part is this, who will they be? It may be some young gun that breaks out of the second tier, or Murray may realize his opportunities both on and off the court and take things to another level. Who knows?
Obviously with part of the big four weakening we have seen the cracks already in Slams ( Wawa, Cilic ) where its mostly been one of the big 4 always with the win.

March 2nd, 2016 at 11:02 am

We have a Saint running for president……A St. Bernard, as in Bernie Sanders. I just as soon see Bernie Tomic running. Slim pickins’ for presidential candidates in the USA imho……Hurry up Indian Wells…..I am having tennis withdrawals……political crap is driving me crazy and it is just beginning…..sigh……

March 2nd, 2016 at 11:22 am

@Okiegal – LOL. Just when you think the US presidential options couldn’t get much scarier, you throw Bernie Tomic into the mix. What next, Vice President Fognini? Secretary of State Kyrios?

March 2nd, 2016 at 11:29 am

Also curious about Wawa as well, if he’ll keep the trend (AO 14′, RG 15′) this year he should take Wimbledon😜

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:27 pm

^ Nole is Vice Prez, not Fog. Fog would be an Intern troublemaker.:)
LOL on Kyrgios being SoS.

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:27 pm

@Daniel – I don’t see Wimbledon happening for Wawrinka, but the US Open is a possibility.

@Skeezer – I think Nole would do a reasonably good job as VP. We are trying to fill a circus here so he wouldn’t fit in. How about Gulbis as VP?

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:33 pm

IMO all the above mentioned would be better then Donald Trump

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:38 pm

Let’s talk tennis: who has the higher IQ: Gulbis or Bush Junior?

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:54 pm

After watching Taylor Fritz in Acapulco I have zero doubts that he will be number 1 in the future. His upside is on par with Kyrgios. I don’t think this is even a hard thing to predict actually. That’s how special this kid is. If you watch him play, he has this inner calm about him at such a young age and a confidence that I only see in Kyrgios at this point. Thiem is 4 years older and isn’t a part of the young group that I am talking about. Thiem will also reach number 1 at some point in his career. I won’t be surprised whatsoever after watching how he plays.

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:58 pm

Dave, right man at the right place you are ;)

I have to see a match with Fritz. Have to admit, Ive never seen him plaing. Hou made me curios. Is on my to do list.

March 2nd, 2016 at 1:03 pm

I hope you get an opportunity to watch him play one day. He will move up the rankings fast.

March 2nd, 2016 at 1:18 pm

We’ll see. I would not predict, what might happen with all those new guys, how good they will be. We had high expactations also from Dimitrov, Raonic, Nishikori. Time will only tell.
It is good , that thee are fresh talents in top 100.

March 2nd, 2016 at 1:28 pm

^^there are

March 2nd, 2016 at 1:28 pm

@ Okie – Seeing you mentioned Trump….I always thought Americans had more sense (my hubbie being from the USA- and I know loads of other great Americans) …..however, I fear that the next President of the largest democratic country in the world (Trump)is not only going to change North America but the godamned world!!!!!

Here in the UK we may as well stop fighting over “In or Out of the EU” …it’s small change in the new world order about to fall upon us all. The Doomsday “Book” predictions!!

PS: If you want to emigrate, I can put you up.
With any luck my wee corner of the world may escape the worst….or at least enjoy the tranquility before it happens.

As for TENNIS – Let’s all enjoy the Davis Cup week-end coming up.

March 2nd, 2016 at 2:10 pm

This woman is far more dangerous for the world peace than ten Trumps (I don’t care for America’s internal police, ISIS is hers and Obama’s product, she is going to nuke somebody:

http://youtu.be/FmIRYvJQeHM

She is laughing on somebody’s death..future President of the most powerful country on earth, scary thought!

March 2nd, 2016 at 2:43 pm

they are both weird…

March 2nd, 2016 at 2:54 pm

J-Kath….guess I am grounded here in the states….remember, I don’t fly! I will say it again….the presidential choices this election year are BAAAAD……did not vote on super Tuesday for the first time in my life…..I am very conflicted on the matter……

@WB….can not stand HC……

March 2nd, 2016 at 3:11 pm

Okie – Yes, of course you are grounded in the States..I am echoeing my own fear of world events..I’m actually in a vacuum not sure about what I want to do, irrespective of what I fear Trump will do and the ramifications.

I also cannot stand Hilary – but my view is she will do less harm. “Do No Harm” being the call.

Wogboy: What Hilary tries to take forward on the elements you mention will be nothing in comparison to what Trump will do. He will succeed and Hilary won’t – therein lies the danger.

OK – I’m now finished commenting about politics (to everyone’s relief). Except, extreme politics endanger us all…because they are already affecting the lives of millions – and there seems to be no signs of stopping.

March 2nd, 2016 at 3:39 pm

He promisses jobs to USA people, like a “lovely” guy did in Germany, last century…He’s by far more dangerous

March 2nd, 2016 at 3:47 pm

JK,

Hillary was running the office for 12 years, Tramp hasn’t, we saw what is she capable of, it is is scary to think thst, mostlikely, she’ll spend another eight years in offiece.

March 2nd, 2016 at 3:51 pm

WogBoy

Did read on YouTube – but did you read the article on there about Hilary? – (Still don’t like her but fear Trump)…saw whgat he was about in Scotland too.

I was in Libya during Ghaddafi and for me it was the UK equally with the Americans intervention that did not understand what their intervention would do.

March 2nd, 2016 at 4:03 pm

JK,

I am very familiar with life in Libya, my uncles, who were civil engineers spent few years in Libya and Irak building and constructing the countries, they were both prosperous countries on there own ways, and Irak (and Syria) were the only secular countries in that part of the world, where are they now after “democracy” was brought to them. As for Libya, America just supported European countries since they supported America in Irak. The main culprits of destroying Libya were Italy, France and partly UK. The contracts that Libya had with those countries about oil exploitation was coming to an end and Gadafi was negotiating with China, suddenly he was dictator who had to die, and he had to die bacause he knew a lot.

March 2nd, 2016 at 4:15 pm

Not exactly Wog Boy…Walter was a Geologist (the Mgr.) of an American service company (Core Laboratories Dallas, Tx.). They did the core testing for all but one of the oil companies in their Tripoli laboratory for the industry.

As your uncles were civil engineers they would be mostly in the desert – (time off usually in Benghazi). During the Ghaddafi rule????

The majority of companies there were American (although the oil-field workers came from a huge range of countries. After Tony Blair met Ghaddafi in his huge desert tent, the UK became the 2nd major of the expatriates. After that things got dodgie. It became impossible for European women to stay (my most beautiful friend was put in jail and one side of her face totally scarred). The poor old Italians had very little to do with anything given their previous Empire role.

March 2nd, 2016 at 6:14 pm

JK,

They were in Misurata (port), my understaning is that job of getting rid of Gadafi was given to Europan countries and when the speed of actions wasn’t to Obama’s (read Clinton’s) liking they stepped in, but I stil belive Italian and French oil companies has most of there interests in Libya, there is mutual respect between western powers who is in charge of which country, former colonies.

March 2nd, 2016 at 6:38 pm

^^yes, they were there during Gaddafi rule, same as in Irak during Sadam Husein rule, then Yugoslavia had very good relationships with all those un aligned countries and had lot of contracts and excellent construction and building track record.

March 2nd, 2016 at 6:56 pm

OK Wog Boy

The Yanks (if I may refer to them as such had started to plan to leave – previously they were the over-whelming numbers).

I promise you – there was one country in Libya most hated even before it all became nasty and it was the Italians…..opposite where we lived was a very rich Libyan married (to a most charismastic) Italian woman, Anna (with whom I’m still in touch).
…he was a devout Moslem but he had to leave because of his wife. He went to Egypt by choice (was very religious) and she to Italy with the kids – and met up frequently.

For me, thank God for the Italian influence on the food which I hope still exists.

PS: On TENNIS: Just read that that silly, new father, Andy Murray has guaranteed that he will play all the Davis Cup matches for the UK – up to now he only promised the first encounter, i.e. this coming week-end.

March 2nd, 2016 at 6:59 pm

JK,

Thanks for all the infos, you learn something every day and I did learn something today. The only problem that I have knowing Italians very well and loving them equally, their temperament, culture, food, women;) is that I can’t see them as tough colonial power that should be hated, but I am not from those former colonies so I can’t comment

I’ll recomend you to watch one great Italian movie that even won oscar for the best foriegn movie, I am pretty sure you will love it, it is about Italian unit that occupied one of the Greek islands and was forgoten there until the end of the war, I say no more in order not to spoil it for you in a case you decide to watch it, it is called “Mediterraneo” and this just the video clip:

http://youtu.be/RsYcGdhfptU

March 2nd, 2016 at 7:18 pm

It is sort of germane to tennis, believe it or not, because I anticipate US politics intruding into tennis in one or more events in the USA this year. People not living in the US should know this and not be surprised. If not tennis, you will see disruptions at other sporting events by BLM and other aggressive “Activists”.

Be ready.
And understand politicians now align as Establishment, business as normal, types Or anti-Establishment things need serious change, types.
Sanders and Trump are the ones running as change agents. HIllary, Jeb Bush when he was in, and Marco Rubio were the Establishment camp people. And the Republicans also have the usual couple of unelectable messianic Christian Right types as well – Cruz and Carson.

I typically hate the cliches spouted by wannabe intellectuals who are actually lightweights, but Lord Acton was still right about the corrupting nature of power. America is in sharp decline with massive debt and loss of it’s jobs base from its citizens to low cost labor pools overseas and imported 3rd Worlders the citizens protests do nothing to stop. And America is now suffering racial tensions older Americans say were only this bad in the 60s – though we have not reached the stage of open bloodletting in riots.
A huge component of that is the new, pervasive acceptance of corruption and favoring special interest groups. And corrupt leaders doing all in their power to open borders and import masses of legal immigrants under dubious motives – H1Bs, faux refugees, extended families , anchor babies. And with that, high activity to impose Globalism with a long string of regime changes and wars. And clear evidence that the string-pullers are exempt from most laws other citizens must abide by. No one in the Wall Street scandal went to jail.

And nowhere at present is this American mess more obvious than in the nepotic offshoot of Bill Clinton’s power, Hillary Clinton.
Voters just got rid of her Doppleganger, Jeb Bush, representing the other wing of the Ruling Elites. But she and her 1.2 billion “Foundation” stand. Name a war, she was for it. Iraq, regime change in Libya, installation of the Muslim Botherhood in Egypt, Saudi money for her Foundation, the blundering that alienated Russia and made the Ukraine and Crimea situations of Putin defending Russian majority populations worse. Her role in Syria and the creation of ISIS as better than secular Assad, the Chinese money she is getting using Bill as proxy. Her smug belief that the law will not dare go after someone as connected as her over the emails because she has powerful allies, and knows secrets.

And people worry that Trump will be getting us up to our necks in foreign messes?? That he is evil because he favors US citizens having jobs over Indian and Pakistani H1B labor force imports?? That unlike demure, never a lie passed her lips Hillary, he is a blowhard and a charlatan?

I like Bernie, just because he is more honest who is is. But who he is, is an old diehard socialist – who would like to see America be more like nations now in the grips of socialist economic disaster pols. Even the college students see it. The college drinking game joke is when Bernie says “free” in a debate on all his amazing new piles of money to be given away to make free college tuition for all, free public transport, free med care for all, etc., etc., – use of the word free gives you the right to drink the beer of the student next to you.

And just so Europeans don’t feel too morally superior and feel entitled to be sneering at US difficulties, the 2nd big wave of invaders is gearing up to ride ships and boats and by other means – arrive and demand a place in an EU nation.
You will see great unrest in Europe this spring, summer, and fall as well, which I believe will impact some sporting events.

March 2nd, 2016 at 8:03 pm

Ooops, I went off tennis mostly and did a long polemic!
It’s just that Trump and Hillary are a small part of a larger picture of difficult times now with us all. And maybe tennis is best left as a refuge from that.

Any voices saying no politics here? Leave Trump and Merkel and boats everywhere headed for Greek and Italian shores out of it???

March 2nd, 2016 at 8:07 pm

Guys,didn’t mean to offend you all but can we talk about tennis pleasezzzz?Anything..sophia,rafa,roger,the lovable Thiem,nole,andy,fritz..

March 2nd, 2016 at 8:39 pm

“….– arrive and demand a place in an EU nation.”

…and social benefits stright away, instead of looking for a job, like they are doing here in Australia. What do you think why they don’t even bother going to Italy, France, Spain, but heading stright north to Germany and Sweeden..best social benefits!
I’ve seen thousands of them last summer in Belgrade, young people, traveling in groups, having few mobile phones each, bank cards, money and paying for everything, from food to transport, they would pay even hotels but they are not allowed in since they don’t have documents and technology are illegal immigrants. The strangest thing of all is that Angel Merkel is inviting them, one has to wonder what is behind that hospitality of hers.

March 2nd, 2016 at 8:56 pm

@AM
Tennis? Not this crowd, its turned into a geo political biasd racist anything but site.
Out:

March 2nd, 2016 at 9:09 pm

Hey skeeze..how are you today?Since you’re here,i’m dying to asked you this.. roger got invitation to oscars but he admit never watched any of the oscar nominated movies..not even THE REVENANT i think..don’t get me wrong but i think it’s really funny[in a good way of course]..how he survived that night still amazed me..but being the great roger federer i have no doubt that he will survives even he was thrown into the pack of wolves!

March 2nd, 2016 at 9:31 pm

Dear all: both, America and Europe are in decline. I only hope , we will have FO this year.
For now, be should enjoy the DC weekend :)

March 3rd, 2016 at 12:04 am

correction: we should

March 3rd, 2016 at 12:04 am

@WogBoy

Great video….will definitely try to see it soonest.

Agree ChrisFord 1: An overview of the world we live in is germane to tennis – much more so than the fancy dress parade at the Oscars.

March 3rd, 2016 at 3:54 am

If Europe and US is in the decline, hah! Imagine how we are in Brazil?! If yiu gius have any intereste of coming to Brazil now is the time. Your currency is sky high. Just stay close to the coast.

Sorry, was in Portugal this Carnaval (running away from Rio crazyness and hotness) and was positivly surprised by it. Always had a small prejudice towards Portugal (years of we making fun of them as our colonizers) thinking it was third tear Europe, sorry no offence to any Portuguese here. Yes it is not wealthy as other Europe countries but thought eveything was safe didn’t saw many homeless people and everybody took care of their business. Actually saw one of the small social inequality. And it’s a charming place and the food and the desserts are out of this world, at least for me who likes seafood and eggs😜

March 3rd, 2016 at 9:52 am

Daniel, nice to know, U are from Brasil. Never been thee but it is onmy to do list.
P.S. Loved “Sepultura”, when I was a teenager :)

March 3rd, 2016 at 12:13 pm

VP, I have a female friend who is metal addicted. I had to go to the heavy metal day in one Rock in Rio a few years back: Metalica, Slipknot, Antrax. It was entertaining actually 🤘🤘

March 3rd, 2016 at 12:45 pm

hehe, keep that female friend, cozz she has good taste in music ;)

March 3rd, 2016 at 12:49 pm

Daniel, since you tolerate Metal, will send you a song ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skc9c7fTDWU

Greetings from Germany

March 3rd, 2016 at 1:12 pm

@ Daniel
I’ve been told by a couple of people that Portugal is expensive (e.g. twice that of Spain.) Your comments lead me to believe the contrary.

My favourite European countries were France and Italy…maybe I might re-kindle a new travel lust.

You mentioned “you saw one of small social inequality”. …did you mean “equality”?

March 3rd, 2016 at 1:53 pm

J-Kath,

I was expecting it to be cheaper also, but our currency is currently very low and I had the feeling it was more expensive than Barcelona and Madrid. But I was there in 2013. Still is way cheaper than Paris, AMS, London. Germany also is not expensive and great place to go.

March 3rd, 2016 at 3:30 pm

No J-K, actually os the samllest disparity. Tou can see regular Europeans driving buses, attending bar, regular services that in some of the more wealhty countteis it’s done only by third worlders or young people. I hardly saw those rich people that smell old family money from head to toe as you see in other parta of Europe. Kind of everybody blend in.

March 3rd, 2016 at 3:33 pm

Hi Daniel

Northern European countries don’t tick my boxes….I’d rather waste money in a more laid back country like Italy and an adorably arrogant France even if they offer less value.

But thanks. K

March 3rd, 2016 at 3:43 pm

Yes J-K, Italy is beautiful and food delicious. France also is my favorite, love Paris to the core.

March 3rd, 2016 at 9:44 pm

Nice to read such comments :)…makes me plan my Summerholiday. My favorite Southern Europe places are Greece and Spain. Not very pretentios, but I love them. Should also try Portugal, never been there. Thank you for the tipp, Daniel.

March 4th, 2016 at 3:30 am

I have a cousin who absolutely loves Greece. She would vacation there every summer……divorced her husband and moved there. Don’t know if she is still there or not. I always wondered what the attraction was…tell me please, VP!!

March 4th, 2016 at 4:03 am

Listening to the Golden Oldies ….The Lion Sleeps Tonight…….wish I could….wonder what the lion uses as a sedative?? LOL I need it, big time!! Eyes wide open….3:06……..

March 4th, 2016 at 4:06 am

Okiegal

Is your cousin called “Shirley Valentine”???

March 4th, 2016 at 5:14 am

Okie,

Greece is for me an inexhaustible source of visual experiences…each island there is special.
I also love the food there, I love ouzo an the wines.
People are very relaxed there. I can tell you al this as a tourist, a Greek would probably disagree.

March 4th, 2016 at 5:25 am

Okiegal

Apologies re. your cousin….

March 4th, 2016 at 1:49 pm

Obviously it was a slow news week with DC. No other reason to post about the race after two months. Does anybody believe Bautista Agut or Cuevas will stay there? Of course not. It is absolutely irrelevant. Post it again after Wimbledon if you absolutely must.

March 6th, 2016 at 9:57 am

@Alexandra..agree..since rafa’s name was up there,i believe this article only wants to give a jab below the belt for rafa or wants to tease rafa’s fan..that’s all..

March 6th, 2016 at 10:23 am

The ATP race is almost completely irrelevant until Shanghai – it just so happens that’s when they begin to convene with rankings, although they are not the same thing. If I were Nadal, I wouldn’t give a hoot about that – he’s got a lot more important things to occupy his time…like his game.

BTW – spare a thought for Bud Collins?

http://tennis-column.blogspot.com/2016/03/bud-collins-one-of-kind.html

March 7th, 2016 at 12:14 pm