Poll: Who’s Your Early Favorite To Win The 2017 Australian Open?

Have to go with the 6-time and defending champ as the favorite. (But I hope Andy is able to win it!)

January 10th, 2017 at 10:14 am

BTW, I will set up the ATP racket bracket for the AO later this week.

January 10th, 2017 at 10:15 am

Well..Rod Laver picked Roger and i think Rafa is out of question…and my logical and sensible mind pick Nole but my dream and fantasy is still the same….ANDY!!!!!!!!C’MON LET’S GO!!!!!!!

January 10th, 2017 at 10:28 am

Everyone is going to be talking about Nole and Andy, but I think Stan will fly under the radar and go deep into the tourney.

January 10th, 2017 at 11:16 am

Laver says about Roger “If he gets a good draw and finds himself not playing long, long matches to push into his fitness, then he could be dangerous.”

I agree with Laver. The draw is a given.

January 10th, 2017 at 11:36 am

I’d call Andy the favorite just because he is 28-1 in his most recent matches. He just had the 7th longest match win streak in the Open Era end, and it took Djokovic’s A game to beat him.

But of course I am rooting for Novak.

Odd that 43% of the vote in the poll at the time I write is for Nadal.

Worth noting Raonic, the big Canadian moose was leading Andy Murray 2 sets to one in the SF at the AO last year when he tore an adductor muscle. And Murray barely beat him in a near 4 hour marathon at the WTF. He just turned 26.

January 10th, 2017 at 11:39 am

Rooting for Nadal or Andy!!!
Djokovic won’t win AO and not rooting for him.
Love that poll that Rafa is leading, crazy fans (Yes! we are)

January 10th, 2017 at 11:57 am

R A F A !!!

January 10th, 2017 at 11:58 am

Picked but will root for roger.

January 10th, 2017 at 12:00 pm

Picked andy but will root for roger

January 10th, 2017 at 12:03 pm

Think Novak again, he has the experience on his side and the best Murray got at AO was stay 2 sets from the title. Even if he is paying great and leading, he has a huge mental block to overcome to win AO. Something, even with the British frenzy, he doesn’t face same pressure in Wimby anymore, because he knows he can win there and is currently the best grass court player.

There is just something in AO that bother Murray. I’ll hope he doesn’t make it another final if it is not to win it all.

I’ll say Djoko, 45%, Murray 35%, Wawa 10%, Raonic 5% (if he has the 2 best serving days of his life in semis and finals anything can happen) and the rest 5% combined.

January 10th, 2017 at 12:12 pm

I would have to pick Djokovic, think the only player who can stop him is Wawrinka. Murrays streak aside, if Djokovic and Murray face each other in the final, can anyone honestly say they believe Murray who has never won it – is the favorite?

January 10th, 2017 at 12:51 pm

Hope Andy finds a way. Can’t see Stan winning two slams in a row. Not really in his DNA though I wouldn’t mind seeing it happen.

I going to throw out a bit of a flyer and predict that Dimitrov will get to the final. The Big 4 aren’t as reliable as they once were. Can’t see Federer or Nadal bashing the door down. Thinking a Murray-Dimitrov or Novak-Dimitrov final. The AO has produced some unpredictable finalists so I’m going that route this year. Besides, Grigor is 25. If he isn’t going to get together, then when?

January 10th, 2017 at 12:52 pm

You can get by a Wimbledon draw when the fave guy’s in bad shape or can’t make it to the second week.
In the Aussie open, at the 3-hour mark, and 1 set all, if you miss just a few shots in a tiebreak or in the last game at 5-5, you’ll lose pretty quickly.

January 10th, 2017 at 12:58 pm

I think Novak will do it. Just a feeling. However, will never count Federer out – I don’t long for the days, I just want the days to be long, with Federer playing his heart out, like he always has. Love his self belief and his passion. SO, yeah, I would say that Federer is in with a chance, love this rejuvenation, this fresh approach, there seems to be none of the retirement talk that everyone in the media discuss, except Federer!

This was a wonderful comment he said on sky about Murray.

Federer returns to a different landscape with Andy Murray now occupying the top ranking.

“You should be very proud of him,” said Federer, who spent a total of 302 weeks in the same position earlier in his career. “His achievement is very strong.

“I still haven’t seen him since he’s become world No 1 so I can’t wait to shake the hand of Andy and say ‘well done, great job and keep it up’.”

January 10th, 2017 at 1:13 pm

Berghain – I believe Andy was the favorite for the 2013 Wimbledon Final late in the tournament as the betting line changed after Djokovic and del Potro had their no holds barred gladiator semifinal match. A match that will be on any fan’s list as a classic match of the 2010s. 4 hours and 43 minutes, a war all the way, no quit in either. Djokovic won, but Delpo beat the stuffing out of him in the process. (Juan said he was so exhausted and sore he spent two days mostly in bed, after the clash.)
Andy on the other hand, had no problem dispatching Jerzy Janowicz (remember him?) in the other semi.
The Final – advantage Andy. It was obvious Djokovic was drained and couldn’t play top tennis. It reminded me of the 2009 Madrid final, where Roger beat Rafa on clay for only the 2nd time in his life – Nadal had nothing left after the classic match/war he fought with Djokovic in the semis. That one went 4 hours.

January 10th, 2017 at 1:17 pm

Lol Fed’s back with his “chivalry”. Murray can’t wait to be his buddy, after 11 years!

January 10th, 2017 at 1:20 pm

Oh yes. Mirka was so gleeful.
Thanks to Djoker, her sugar daddy “hammered” Nadal in the 2009 Madrid final.

It was like Justin Bieber hitting someone for annoying him. “He so BAD!”

January 10th, 2017 at 1:26 pm

Truth, do you even have any buddies? I very much doubt it. And are you under the misconception that players have to ‘like’ their opponent, you know, reaallllllyyyyyy like them? Come closer. Thank goodness they are on the court to win, to show their teeth, to fight, to battle it out. It is called playing tennis. It is called sport. Gladitorial. Federer isn’t a new recruit. He is a gladiator. You may sentence him, ‘damnati ad gladium’ – but I would go easy Truth. He may be living more on a knife edge these days, but he is still prepared to fight on the harena. Think about it. He gets the largest spectators, the largest crowds and probably even more now, sell out, because he is loved. He is respected and to be enjoyed. Unfortunately, you seem to be another kind of troll who likes the sound of their own rhetoric. Go Ahead. Enjoy.

Look at all these incredible players, from 17 to 50 – cannot wait for the draw.

17. Federer Roger Switzerland
18. Gasquet Richard France
19. Isner John USA
20. Karlovic Ivo Croatia
21. Ferrer David Spain
22. Cuevas Pablo Uruguay
23. Sock Jack USA
24. Zverev Alexander Germany
25. Simon Gilles France
26. Ramos-Vinolas Albert Spain
27. Tomic Bernard Australia
28. Lopez Feliciano Spain
29. Troicki Viktor Serbia
30. Carreno-Busta Pablo Spain
31. Querrey Sam USA
32. Kohlschreiber Philipp Germany
33. Johnson Steve USA
34. Muller Gilles Luxembourg
35. Klizan Martin Slovakia
36. Baghdatis Marcos Cyprus
37. Granollers-Pujol Marcel Spain
38. Mahut Nicolas France
39. Del Potro Juan-Martin Argentina
40. Verdasco Fernando Spain
41. Lorenzi Paolo Italy
42. Delbonis Federico Argentina
43. Almagro Nicolas Spain
44. Sousa Joao Portugal
45. Edmund Kyle Great Britain
46. Paire Benoit France
47. Fognini Fabio Italy
48. Kuznetsov Andrey Russia
49. Mayer Florian Germany
50. Zverev Mischa

I counted at least 12 of these players have been in the top ten and still going strong.

January 10th, 2017 at 1:32 pm

@Daniel – What bothers Murray in the AO is Djokovic!

January 10th, 2017 at 2:05 pm

CF1:
Allow me to jog your memory. AO 2012. Nole played a semi against Andy. It lasted 4hours 50. He then played the final against Rafa. It lasted 5hours 53. He won.
Pray tell me what’s so rare and special and draining about Wimbledon air.

January 10th, 2017 at 2:13 pm

Remember, Nole “doesn’t like to be No. 2”, so he may win the AO.

January 10th, 2017 at 2:51 pm

Yeah RZ, you are right. Similar to a Spaiard in RG with Fed;-)

Maybe if somebody takes Djoko out (Wawa, Raonic), could be Murray year.

But don’t know, now that Djoko taste a victory again he must be motivated for this AO. Watch out

January 10th, 2017 at 3:14 pm

RAFA X

January 10th, 2017 at 3:38 pm

@ Berghain

“can anyone honestly say they believe Murray who has never won it – is the favorite?”

Yes, I can honestly say it.

January 10th, 2017 at 3:40 pm

Emilia, he isn’t winning enough. It’s crucial that he win all the time because he isn’t “the Maestro”.😆
If you cheer loudly against Nole’s opponent, avoid saying you hate that poor dude. Just hide your true hate by saying “tennis is boring”.

January 10th, 2017 at 3:57 pm

@Daniel – I will probably repeat this several times over the year, but that Doha semi against Verdasco has set the stage for another dominant year by Djokovic.

January 10th, 2017 at 4:16 pm

To “Truth”:

I always speak the truth so I don’t hate anyone ie no opponents of Novak’s. We are fans and not haters.

January 10th, 2017 at 4:38 pm

Truth writes like a poster of yesteryear…..but I won’t say who……or is it whom Margot dear????? 😕😕😕

January 10th, 2017 at 5:01 pm

^^^^ However the one I’m thinking about wasn’t obsessed with Roddick…….might have to rethink this comment…..lol

January 10th, 2017 at 5:03 pm

haha! I spoke to soon, so much for Rafa fans voting! LOL But, still voting for Nadal my hero….Djok can inhale his egg or whatever he does, never a fan!!! TEAM NADAL, ANDY, FEDERER

January 10th, 2017 at 5:44 pm

103 Djoker
33 Fed

These “loving, fair sweetheart fans” lost by 70 votes. Oops.

January 10th, 2017 at 7:23 pm

Margot – it is not only a factor of time elapsed, it is also about how much each guy goes at the other hammer and tongs. How close to, or past their limits.
Year before, JMDP played Fed in the longest 3 setter, lost a heartbreaker – yet had the energy to beat Novak for the bronze medal.
The 2012 AO match with Novak and Andy was baseline cat and mouse 20 shot rallies, a minute to catch breath, then on to the next point. Djokovic said before the Final he felt good, not tired at all.
The 2009 semifinal between Novak and Rafa has justly been called the “War in Madrid”. It left Djokovic feeling defeated, that he had played the best tennis he had, and it just wasn’t good enough. For Nadal, it was where his knee injury happened, and shoulder from trying to serve a faster 2nd serve because Djokovic was pouncing on them, and the exhaustion of relentless corner-to-corner running lasted into the Final. Fighting a guy who was one of only 2-3 guys on tour faster than him. Rafa had great reserves of stamina, but long battles can be draining, even Rafa and Nole can’t come out fresh each and every time they play.
Everyone that watched both the Delpo semi and the Final could clearly see the difference in Djokovic’s energy.

January 10th, 2017 at 7:49 pm

I feel for the players who play atm in Sydney, it is brutally hot, 40 degrees, feels like 42. They shouldn’t be playing really, and irony is that it looks like Melbourne won’t be that hot this year.

Lucky Dominic is playing evening match, it will be bit cooler, but tomorrow back to boiling weather.

Goffin is playing Tomic, about to serve for the mach. Tomic fitness is nonexistent, he weighs 99kg and has ona pack instead of six packs:)

January 10th, 2017 at 9:06 pm

Don’t get confused Goffin/Tomic played in Melbourne not Sydney.

January 10th, 2017 at 9:27 pm

Of course, many anti-Nole fans would say the 2012 Aussie final is the same as 2012 Wimbledon final or 2009 wimbledon final. Anything to elevate Fed and Nadal and downplay the difficulty level in Nole matches. Those 2006-2009 Wimbledons were easier for Fed so there was no fear of terrible and possible losses after that.
2017 Aussie final will be the best Slam match ever, if Nole won’t arrive there.

January 10th, 2017 at 10:21 pm

I voted Murray. It’s as much a hope as a prediction as I’m a huge Murray fan and want him to FINALLY capture an Australian Open. But beyond wishful thinking I DO think he can do it this year. We know he can beat Djoker in Slam finals (comfortably in the case of Wimbledon) it’s just whether he can hold it together mentally, and which Djokovic turns up.

January 11th, 2017 at 1:19 am

CF1: You’re so mealy mouthed about giving Andy any credit at all for his wins over Nole, so you have to * them all.
Why? Hasn’t Nole beaten Andy enough for you?
Listen, I could also * many of Nole’s victories over Andy. But I don’t because that would seem churlish and grudging.
Kath: I don’t think Andy’s the favourite but let’s see how lady luck rolls the dice.

January 11th, 2017 at 1:25 am

I think Andy is due. I cannot see him not reaching finals. He’ll be there waiting to whoever comes out from the other half. I hope it’s Novak. I will, of course, be rooting for Nole to repeat. But I did not vote as I am not sure who between them to pick. There are a few dark horses that can surprise us. We can make bolder predictions once the draw is out.
Can’t wait the AO to start.

January 11th, 2017 at 2:58 am

“If you cheer loudly against Nole’s opponent, avoid saying you hate that poor dude. Just hide your true hate by saying “tennis is boring”.”

Good one, Truth. LOL at this one.

January 11th, 2017 at 3:41 am

Wearing my rose coloured spectacles, and hoping for an Andy win, or an even less likely Rafa win, but i think Novak will do it again ….

January 11th, 2017 at 4:40 am

Geez people really need to get over themselves, some people are actually fans of other players not named Novak believe it or not ….

January 11th, 2017 at 4:44 am

Willow….. I agree!
Not taking anything away from Djokovic, he is a great player. But, that doesn’t mean I have to like him, be a fan, want to watch him, or root for him.
Actually I hope he doesn’t make the finals, hoping for anyone else with Andy in final match.

Djok Fans…
IF you think Andy can’t beat Djokovic….I 100% disagree with you! The finals in Doha could’ve gone either way, that’s tennis!!
AND I thought Djok suffered a concussion(hitting head) before or after medical time out for thumb blood? Maybe throwing the racket caused the injury? No one talks about his on court behaviour – antics! If Nick acted like that we wouldn’t be able to keep up with the thread.

I will be happy with anyone winning over Djokovic

January 11th, 2017 at 5:00 am

I think there’s a difference between finding lop-sided rivalries “boring” and finding tennis itself “boring.” If the latter, it’s really weird being on a TENNIS site.
Just sayin’.

January 11th, 2017 at 5:01 am

Margot:

The Aussies are going to be calling Andy “SIR” – that annoys me more than claims and counter-claims re. Andy or Nole as the favourite. The bettings odds change every five minutes so it’s not just down to the guesses of Tennis X posters.

January 11th, 2017 at 5:04 am

Domination is the thing thats boring for me, and yes i know fans of their own favorites dont complain, but do complain when its a rival that does it, so yes i guess we all have double standards ….

January 11th, 2017 at 5:36 am

And just because i dont think tennis shouldnt begin and end with one player, that doesnt make me a hater either, its pathetic the way that word gets brandied around here ….

January 11th, 2017 at 5:38 am

@Willow…That’s alright,forget about tennis for a minute…Let’s talk about chicken curry[again!he he he]…Do you know that aside from rice,we’re also can eat it with a bread?Just dip it like you dip a bread in the soup…and if you add a bit of sugar in it…Urgh!!..it’s HEAVEN!!!

January 11th, 2017 at 6:16 am

Margot,
Truth. U Nailed it @5:01

January 11th, 2017 at 10:33 am

Fed fans were the ones that tried to force Fed worship down everyone’s throat.
This is still going on 15 years later.
People were verbally abused for not liking his game and narcissistic vile personality.
It’s pitiful that Murray fans wanted him to be like Fed. Downright tragic.
Murray saw old Fed’s venom & was tempted to laugh hysterically at his face.
What’s most pathetic is Fed’s opponents were his cheerleading babies.
It wasn’t tennis or “warrior fighting” in 2003-2006, as Fed fans pretended it was.
Fed needed help at the 2008 U.S. open. Deluded ex-players and failed overrated players were confused that Fed suffered so terribly and losing his stranglehold on Nole and other ‘nobodies’.
So a few simpletons made it look like Nole was the pansy trash.
It was ironic, but the fakery was recorded on video and Nole wasn’t the phony moron.
I don’t know why lapdog Roddick didn’t quit tennis. He had money to burn.
No one forced him to suffer through fake victimhood vs. Nole.
He knew the Davis Cup captain Pat McEnroe talked so much about Murray & Nole fakeness. Pat would’ve died for Fed to dominate tennis as well as all sports. John McEnroe was a Fed nutcase by then.

Excuse me if I see stupidity when people moan at anyone who doesn’t like Fed now.
Nole was treated as a crazy person and he even thought he went crazy.
He worked very hard to climb out of the darkness, and sometimes gets too perfectionistic and extremely depressed & down.
He didn’t have many Slam final opponents that were resigned to losing and being slow and technically horrid athletes. Yet, Fed fans portray Fed as a victim all the time when he’s the Nole turkey.
Fed isn’t spewing his fake love comments, and carrying his manbag. Too bad.
No one’s living in 2003-2007. Fed is welcome to quit tennis to avoid losing.
Murray is not Fed. Nole’s happy he’s not Fed.

January 11th, 2017 at 10:44 am

@John Bullock – welcome, we can always use another Andy fan here! Thanks for the link to your site. I hope your prediction comes true!

January 11th, 2017 at 11:06 am

@J-Kath, I wish they would have waited another year or two to bestow the “Sir” title on Andy. I can’t imagine that he wasn’t the tournaments to call him that.

January 11th, 2017 at 11:23 am

My how time flies. Thanks for setting up the AO Bracket again, RZ.

Not sure if there’s enough interest in WTA for me to do a Tournytopia Tennis Channel bracket…. are you in, RZ? Margot, alison, anyone else?

Of course there is this one running all the time start to finish in 2017 — every tournament WTA and ATP.
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/group/standings/68/atp/bracket

Congrats to the newest member for making the leaderboard on her first try: Farah Diba :D Go Farah!
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/standings

January 11th, 2017 at 12:34 pm

RZ: Agree. He ought to have declined. My feeling is it will add a level of reserve to his play.

January 11th, 2017 at 2:01 pm

Sorri Jalep: Still struggling with a few problems on my computer – I’d probably crash the brackets.

January 11th, 2017 at 2:04 pm

@Jalep – I should be able to join. (Pliskova FTW!)

January 11th, 2017 at 2:06 pm

@J-Kath: I suspect that one does not decline such an honor. He will probably just downplay it as much as possible.

January 11th, 2017 at 2:07 pm

RZ: I know some who have. It is an honour but much too soon.

January 11th, 2017 at 3:59 pm

Murray is the number 1 by a few points because of Djokovics problems throughout later part of 2016! Murray is the worst number 1 ever he dose not deserve to be no. 1

January 11th, 2017 at 6:17 pm

Margot – It is not an asterisk to note that some matches drain a player. It is not “mealy mouthed” or disparaging the victor of the match after that – just stating facts.
Even one with enormous stamina reserves, which is why I include Rafa as having nothing left for the Madrid final in 2009, even though he has had other grueling matches in the semis of big events.
After Andy’s 2013 victory, even the Brit tabloids were saying clearly that the gladiator match with Delpo had drained Novak and he had not recovered like he has done before from tough matches. Djokovic was a hurtin’ puppy in that major Final.

It would be ungracious for the loser to make excuses, but many fans have locked into the idiot idea that also obligates other fans and writers to observe a similar code of silence about clear fatigue/injury.

January 11th, 2017 at 6:26 pm

Nick Kyrgios is in the spotlight and gets less breaks than a player like Fed or Andy or Novak who swears or smacks a ball in the stands because Kyrgios set himself up as a bad guy and in the ATP’s “probation” system for misbehavior. Kyrgios is just on a tighter leash because he blatantly has tanked matches, thrown sexual disses at other players, refused obligatory press interviews, etc….so he would get another ding if he was screaming Fed-style at a referee about his BS…but Fed would not.
It’s like a drug dealer/robber with a rap sheet of 23 convictions angrily saying that two years for his latest charge of weapons possession “would be probation for citizens with clearer records, so it’s unfair hypocrisy!”
Which of course overlooks – justice and private discipline systems are geared to punish repeat offenders harsher.
Bernard Tomic makes the same whines as Nick.

January 11th, 2017 at 6:40 pm

@J…WOOOHOOOO!!!YEAH!!!..He he..Sorry,couldn’t resist!..I’m ready for AO challenges J!I promise to make you proud of me…I now warming up my fingers intensively by spanking anything that moves in front of me …yesterday,i spanked the cow’s butt lovingly and after i saw my handiwork,one thought came to mind…yep!i am ready for AO Bracket Challenge!..So bring it on J and RZ!!

January 11th, 2017 at 6:58 pm

@6:40 post

You really want to compare the FAN trifecta to Nick behavior? Give me a break dude, you need some Chia seeds in your morning Oatmeal.

January 11th, 2017 at 7:34 pm

It’s worse for Nole because the media protects the precious Fed.
Fed will be humiliated when Nole wins 17-20 Slams. This will kill the media morons and ex-players’ pride.

Nick isn’t a great guy so no one really cares. He kissed his career good bye.

Nick would’ve been treated better 15 years ago because the focus was on hugging/reassuring Fed after he lost to his turkeys.

January 11th, 2017 at 8:27 pm

Margot, you are nigh well an American at this point! LOL

Skeezer, I’m forced to agree with you again. Knock it off. Soon dogs and cats will be getting along.

January 11th, 2017 at 10:38 pm

@BBB,
Despite the rumors here, I have Dogs, no Cats. Cats would be Humble territory, he has the fetish for them apparently.

January 12th, 2017 at 12:52 am

Truth is smoking some serious stuff!

January 12th, 2017 at 3:59 am

Andy Mira: So did you get sour milk?

January 12th, 2017 at 4:25 am

Stena:

Thank you for sharing such a delightful comment. Do come and share your wisdom as soon as you are released.

January 12th, 2017 at 4:32 am

Wow! Dan just beat Dom! EEEK! The Brits are coming. Didn’t see 3rd but was Thiem injured, 6-1 collapse suggests so.
Lol BBB, but is that a compliment in the Age of The Donald?
Just askin’…….?
Thanks for RZ and Jalep setting up brackets. I’m in.
Skeeze: this cats stuff is a very old “joke” if it ever was a “joke.”. But trolls never give up do they?

January 12th, 2017 at 4:57 am

@JK…NO!!..What i got was a remarkable two beautiful hoof on my cheek!And not the CHEEK down there,mind you.. but on my face!Reminds me not to spank cow’s butt ever again!

January 12th, 2017 at 4:58 am

Kath: Perhaps Stena should have a “dose” of generosity?
CF1: Please don’t lay the British media at my door, or suggest that I am IN ANY WAY influenced by what they say, because that would be libellous.

January 12th, 2017 at 5:01 am

Margot,
I believe Thiem must be tired. It seems like I just watched his match with the Portugese qualifier where he led 5:3 in the first set and ended up losing it. He did win finally in three, but he must be exhausted. He was dripping sweat.

However, let’s give credit where credit is due. It doesn’t matter how and why, but Evans beat him. That’s what counts.

January 12th, 2017 at 5:06 am

Cheers, Danica. I love wee Dan and glad he won. But I’ve a read a lot about Dom over-playing and I guess this came back to bite him.

January 12th, 2017 at 5:32 am

PS CF1: Come on, own up, you’re not really an objective fan when it comes to Nole, are you? Not that I’d expect you to be, but an acknowledgement would be nice, rather than claiming that your OPINION is a Godalmighty fact. Therefore your view about Andy’s Wimbledon win, must be taken with a large dose of salts.

January 12th, 2017 at 5:53 am

Truth Says:
103 Djoker
33 Fed

These “loving, fair sweetheart fans” lost by 70 votes. Oops.

January 10th, 2017 at 7:23 pm

What a troll…another Fed hater. Thought they had disappeared?

January 12th, 2017 at 7:02 am

AM:

First reminder coming up. Shall remind myself to remind you by putting it in my diary, ahem!!!! Meanwhile, don’t forget ice cubes on that cheek.

Margot: Dose of castor oil more appropriate.

PS: I bought the Eurosport year’s ticket – Twice!!!! They emailed me saying – the money had cleared then they emailed again saying it hadn’t so I did it again. Now they have acknowledged receipts under two different references.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:55 am

CF1 and Truth are on the same page. Their preferred narratives have a strong common ground and a shared emotional charge.

It is incredible how the drama remains blooming fresh for some, or a few, possibly..many? Fedal days are gone; Roddick retired. Get in your time capsule and come back to the future — 2017. Or maybe write the book in detail on this special time in history that finds you sermonizing in the TX comment section. Or better yet, put it to music — it would make a fine protest ballad @ 10:44. I started humming Dylan’s, “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” (long version). Have a listen and imagine the words (edited a little) in a fine lament…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ex-m-eEKsg

January 12th, 2017 at 9:45 am

@JK…Awww!You’re AWESOME!!Here..for you

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdRWRovR_H_ZiqjrXowhHJ7ljZabdBMgnAbYzZpxTGCW__g6_M

PS…I think the BEST dose for our new friend izzzz… when Andy bagged a win sooner or later..the bzzzzz! will stop immediately…just like the past 6 months…many bzzzz disappeared..

January 12th, 2017 at 9:45 am

Hey J…https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSY8e1mTA_X6PKL-N1WBhY9TJpOmyV5FjtlRTypiuzWDxwEa1N2PA

January 12th, 2017 at 9:52 am

Omg thanks, AM. And your doing it again: spreading the love energy on a board of malcontents :D

I’m off to work late…later…
We gonna pick some AO soon!

January 12th, 2017 at 10:04 am

@J…YOU’RE ALSO AWESOME!!!WOOOHOOO!!

January 12th, 2017 at 10:08 am

AM:

You’ve certainly got the franchise on these magic boxes!!!.

However,
“now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of the tennis party……and gear up for the crying, screaming, whining and girning that’s about to come with AO draw late this evening or (early morning Friday UK time).

Who will Rafa meet?
Will Andy get, Rafa, Roger, Stan, Milos and Kei?

January 12th, 2017 at 10:14 am

@JK…Urgh!can’t wait to see the draw…If it’s true that Rog and Rafa will meet possibly in 3rd round…that’s a disaster for me…Hate any of them out so early…But,oh well..this is life..I will still gonna enjoy the amazing good tennis that other’s will provide especially from Andy and Nole..

January 12th, 2017 at 10:25 am

What is the link to join RZ’s draw contest?

January 12th, 2017 at 10:44 am

@Kath
If Andy gets that draw I will have the most MASSIVE temper tantrum that would make the Donald seem like an amateur. Even if AM should send me a thousand pictures of cakes and flowers it would do no good.

January 12th, 2017 at 11:29 am

@M…ARE YOU SURE?DON’T TEMPT ME…YOU’RE GOING TO LOSE!!

January 12th, 2017 at 11:33 am

AM: we better talk after the draw……EEK!

January 12th, 2017 at 11:39 am

@M…Fair enough!But,you gotta watch out!!

January 12th, 2017 at 11:43 am

Margot:

The headline will be: Protest by Mad Scottish “wimman” found screaming in the Welsh hills throwing tennis balls while a “massive TEMPER TANTRUM” by a Welsh woman found near the Scottish Borders was bashing tennis racquets to pieces.

January 12th, 2017 at 12:04 pm

And PS: They were both arrested by the English police and sent to Australia as convicts.

January 12th, 2017 at 12:12 pm

Then Kath, I will change my allegiance to Naughty Nick…

January 12th, 2017 at 1:07 pm

I would have picked Novak even before his win over Andy last week, so I’ll certainly pick him now.

Andy fans may think me slow of mind, and they’re probably right: I just haven’t yet bought the idea of Novak as #2, though all the facts are against me.

The idea of Rafa as a favourite is touching, but out to lunch.

Novak and Andy are STRONG favourites. 80% chance it will be one of those two.

Next, Milos and Stan. 15% chance it will be one of these two. Legit shot.

Everybody Else: 5% chance

Will be interesting seeing how Fed copes with being out of the top 16. He’ll be facing higher ranked players from 4th round on, and would likely get a top 8 player should he make the quarters.

A shame Del Potro is out, but I think its an interesting enough field. Thiem, Nishikori, Zverev, Rafa and Rog will definitely be of interest as possible upset makers.

January 12th, 2017 at 1:30 pm

@sinha71 – I plan to get the racket bracket link up tonight (I’m in the U.S. – west coast, so it may be tomorrow for you depending on where you are.). Look forward to you joining!

January 12th, 2017 at 2:05 pm

Margot:

The PPS: was we were released and as a way of apology (because SIR Andy Murray complained on our behalf) we were given High Profile seats for the major Aussie tennis matches…and any matches of our choice.

January 12th, 2017 at 2:17 pm

Tennis Vagabond:

Thiem a definite NO (at this juncture- is playing too much and losing already).

January 12th, 2017 at 2:22 pm

Does anyone know if the draw presentation can be streamed as radio anywhere online?

January 12th, 2017 at 7:49 pm

Djoko plays Nando in the 1 round.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:09 pm

Federer, Nishikori are in Andy’s quarter
Wawrinka in Andy’s half
Djoko could meet Raonic in quarterfinals.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:13 pm

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ms/index.html

January 12th, 2017 at 8:14 pm

Correction. Djoko could play Raonic in semis.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:19 pm

or Nole and Nadal could meet in the semis. Just saw Nadal is in Raonic’ quarter

January 12th, 2017 at 8:24 pm

The Racket Bracket is up! Link is http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketAussieOpenATP/TennisXersAussieOpen2017
All are welcome to join. If you don’t use a name/moniker that is the same or similar to what you use on Tennis-X, please leave a comment so we know who you are. Good luck!

January 12th, 2017 at 8:38 pm

^ That is the link for the ATP bracket. Jalep may be setting up a WTA bracket.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:39 pm

Tough first round for Djokovic. He should get past Verdasco, but maybe Verdasco feels inspired after their latest encounter last week. Or, more likely, Verdasco has a mental implosion and disappears quietly in three sets :)

Meanwhile, Federer gets a pocketful of qualifiers for his first couple of rounds.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:39 pm

Yep – Looks like Federer got a lot of early luck. I hate to think these draws are rigged so no further comments re. that thought. Re. Nole – on reflection, his draw is not bad but 1st match will be interesting.
Re. Andy – Fed, Nishi and Stan – what can one say? I think look at how the betting reacts – at least will be less fan-based than what we can do given that we’ve all got preferences.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:52 pm

Tennis X should have had a thread ready for this, med thinks.

January 12th, 2017 at 8:55 pm

Jalep’s exciting 2017 WTA Aussie Open Racket Bracket Pool is OPEN

Two days left to pick as of now…

Who ya got?

http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketAussieOpenWTA/jalep3/default.aspx

January 13th, 2017 at 12:17 am

So what if Jokervic won Doha? He also won Montreal, then get thumped by Warinka at the US Open final. He just couldn’t live up the hype, when all hope are on him for being the GOAT.

January 13th, 2017 at 3:03 am

@RZ — Thanks for the warm welcome. We Murray fans need to stick together ;)

January 13th, 2017 at 7:04 am

John Bullock put me down as a secondary Murray fan, and i will join in welcoming you, like your blog BTW ;-) ….

January 13th, 2017 at 7:07 am

Thanks Willow, pleased to meet you!

January 13th, 2017 at 12:10 pm

Willow and AM I’ve done Jalep’s bracket. Can’t see you two. Where are you?
Anyone else? The water’s lovely :)

January 13th, 2017 at 1:14 pm

I completed my bracket…:)

January 13th, 2017 at 1:18 pm

Did you guys see this kids twitter on Rafa? SO FUNNY!!!!

it’s a short video, worth watching!! Hysterical

https://twitter.com/AlexanderBublik/status/819750031259406336

January 13th, 2017 at 1:33 pm