• Registered: Jan. 7, 2016
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Sneaky Dude - If it frustrates you so much just stop watching - Which is what I am going to do with your posts until you get off this never ending rant you are on...

#lovewatchingtennismatches

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  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

I was just replying to Aiur's post and have given my final observatiions
regarding this subject, Murreee.

Well I guess sadly NOT everyone sees the TRUTH for what it exactly is!!!
I tried but I guess people will believe what they want and disregard factors
that are very valid and have real merit that have changed through the years!!!

All I can state is I can NOT wait for the 2018 Australian Open!!! It should be
interesting!!! The bracket competitions make me laugh because way too many
competitors pick Federer and Nadal to win as their pre-tourney champion!!!
Many fans foolishly believe that Federer and Nadal will NEVER stop winning majors!!! LOL

LOL.......with so many players going into the 1st major of the year win an "injury"
maybe the Australian Open tournament officials should make a tournament for
injured players separate from the real one!!! LMAO

Last edited by sneaky (Jan. 5, 2018 3:22pm)

  • Registered: Jan. 14, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Aiur wrote:

Commentators don't do any sort of stroke analysis? Are you blind? I can't count how many times I've seen Nadal's trademarked "buggy whip" forehand broken down by commentators, showing the trajectory, RPM's of the shot, etc. Or the amount of times Federer's service motion has been dissected. There are also dedicated shows on networks like The Tennis Channel that breakdown the shots of pro players.

As for the ATP, it's a business. Businesses exist to make money. Look at the prize money dished out these days. There's a lot of money on the line. It allows fringe players who might only really be competitive in 250 events to play full-time. In the 70's, a guy like Denis Istomin would've been bounced out of the game early because he's not a perennial threat to win a big tournament. But since he can make a living playing in smaller events and on the challenger tour, we get to see him beat Djokovic at the Aussie Open. The money also trickles down into academies and whatnot.

You need to seriously get with the times. It's not 1980 anymore. Social media is huge and if a company doesn't use it, they are hurting themselves. The promo stuff like Federer playing Nadal on a half clay, half grass court, on a boat, or on a very tall building is called promotion. They're trying to bring new people to the game. No people=no money. No money=no tennis.

Hear! Hear!
Excellent points, Aiur!

Certainly, the ATP and WTA would be foolish not to use social media to stay relevant to bring in fans and reach out to existing ones.  Why should they be Luddites?

2017 Supreme Jedi, 2017 Lord Vader, 2017 Chivalrous Wookie, 2015 Naboo Champion, 2018 Big Fat Nothing
  • Registered: Jan. 14, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Aiur and Murreee, you may have missed an extensive counterpoint I wrote to sneaky last year.  it is post # 43 in the thread "random spreadsheets" in the "other tournaments' stream.
http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/f … ts/page/2/

Sneaky had been claiming that the ATP was fixed, that the tour was being exploited for money, that matches were fixed, that the tour structure was superior in the 1970's, that seeding was a conspiracy to help the Big 4, as well as first round byes, and best 2 of 3 format.  I also addressed the idea that the very presence of a Big 4 was no indicator of conspiracy.

I think it's an interesting post. A lot of other posters here applauded, and it caused Sneaky to delete the 30 or so posts he had written in that thread.  Perhaps a refreshed reading of that post will help simmer things down here.

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  • Registered: Jan. 7, 2016
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Ahhh yes - Thanks you DwightCharles... Nothing like statistics and facts to back up a point...

Very Sneaky of Sneaky to delete posts..!!!

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  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

I only deleted posts because I decided to leave for a while NOT because my
posts lacked merit!!! My posts regarding the control given to the "marquee
players" are obvious!!! Dwight made some decent points in his posts defending
the ATP Tour but they were made by an advocate/defender/blind fan of the ATP Tour!!!

Well......me and Dwight have opposing views but I firmly believe that there is
a huge advantage given to the "marquee players" (too many night matches,
32-seed format, lesser total matches for top players than previous generations)!!!

We argued all that in the "Random Spreadsheets" thread and of course all the
fans on "this forum" agreed with Dwight!!! However, make no mistake about it
their is indeed fixed matches on the current ATP Tour!!! There was an article that
came out stating matches were likely fixed at the 2017 Wimbledon!!!There is also
a probe stating there is a possibility of widespread match fixing!!! If you do NOT
believe me then GOOGLE "Tennis match fixing in 2017" and you will have to admit
that I am CORRECT and Dwight is INCORRECT!!

Dwight uses good statistics in an attempt to defend Tennis but ultimately he is
INCORRECT because the sport of Tennis has been corrupted by "GREED."
Dwight presents his stats/arguments defending tennis in a very organized and
intelligent way but the sad TRUTH is that there is COUNTERPOINTS that are much
stronger that CONDEMN Tennis painting an ugly picture of once-great sport that
went rancid/moldy like a piece of fruit somebody forgot in their refrigerator!!!
Hey Dwight......all your posts promoting/advocating the great sport of Tennis
would make more sense in the 80s and early 90s before we had social media
but definitely NOT now!!! LOL

You see Tennis and all sports really suffer from the disease of being too greedy!!!
All sports exploit the hell out of their loyal naive fans and will to anything to keep
the fans happy with interesting storylines, endless stats regarding head to head,
non-stop overpromotion of the "marquee players", and innuendos to the moon!!!

Make no mistake about it Tennis was once a great sport but sadly NOT anymore!!
The TRUTH is organized crime is possibly involved in fixing matches to make easy
money!!! The Tour IMHO got too greedy and wealthy for their own good and invited
all this dishonesty!!! You guys love to predict matches.........you should all view these
matches with a very dim cracked lens and then and only then you might have a chance
of getting the majority correct!!! LOL

Last edited by sneaky (Jan. 9, 2018 8:38pm)

  • Arvis
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

ARGH!  Just give up, Sneaky!

Anyways, in on-topic posting, below are the notable winners and losers from the AO QR1:

Men's Winners
Pospisil
Fritz
Safwat (could Egypt be represented at this AO?)
Lee Duck-Hee
Tomic
Ruud

Men's Losers
Groth
Pavlaszek
Monteiro
Andujar

  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
  • Posts: 209

Re: 2018 Aussie Open

I made my points you all just do NOT want to believe them, Arvis.

I guess none of you want to GOOGLE "Tennis match fixing in 2017."
There are many articles supporting my claims of fraud but of course
none of you want to read the TRUTH!!! The TRUTH is organized crime
may have a hand on many of the match results!!! I am NOT suprised
because these criminals gravitate too illegal dishonest businesses!!!
The TRUTH is even without Dwight's naive stats and explanations
supporting the ATP Tour........most on this forum WANTED to believe
in the "fairy tales" that the ATP Tour is a magical land immune to greed
and dishonesty!!!

It is always interesting to see who qualifies for a major because there
are so many that are capable!!! I am surprised Tomic did NOT get a
wilcard being Australian and a former top 20 player!!! I guess the
Australians do NOT want to give him anything anymore!!! LOL

Last edited by sneaky (Jan. 10, 2018 3:01pm)

  • Registered: Jan. 7, 2016
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Like I am going to believe a Google search - The last time I did that I found out that aliens from beneath our FLAT earth killed Kennedy but the Germans changed that history using the Mandela Effect...

Sneaky - You are the one believing in Fairy Tales by supporting all this fake information...

It didn't surprise me when you avoided my previous comment "There is no way to fake a 140 mph serve down the tee or wide off the court... Can't fake running down the returns either... The players are getting better and the competition pool is deeper"...

I have enjoyed watching tennis since 1975 and I still enjoy it today... All of it - I like the storylines - there have always been storylines - Its not hype - its human interest - and the Marquee Players deserve the attention...

Please talk about real tennis and quit this rant on fake tennis - If you only came back to rain on my parade then its a good thing I invested in an umbrella...

#endtheconspiracy

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  • Arvis
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Murreee wrote:

Like I am going to believe a Google search - The last time I did that I found out that aliens from beneath our FLAT earth killed Kennedy but the Germans changed that history using the Mandela Effect...

This is the best summary of the internet ever.

  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
  • Posts: 209

Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Well I guess you do NOT believe in very relevant information, Murreee.
Google is a very good search engine that provides factual articles and
some may not be but those articles were very likely true!!!

"There is no way to fake a 140 mph serve down the tee or wide off the
court...Can't fake running down the returns either...The players are getting
better and the competition pool is deeper."

Yes......there are players that hit 140 mph serves and run down returns!!!
SO WHAT.....what does that prove.....I guess it proves that players are
indeed better but they also have superior equipment (light powerful oversized
racquets and poly string) that make them look better!!! Competition is better
but the "marquee players" have advantages that were non-existent in the
70s, 80s, and 90s for top players of the past!!!

Murreee.........I have to state that you are very naive and very susceptible to
being fooled by "clever marketing." Years ago in the 90s and before nobody
cared about head to head, how much x player won this and that, what x player
said in an interview about another player!!! The TRUTH is fans get caught up in
the SENSATIONALISM used to sell tennis to the masses on social media!!!
The clever marketing used to sell tennis or really all sports by the ATP is
impressive IMHO!!! The marketing gurus make the fans get emotionally invested/
connected to their favorite player with innuendos (head to head, endless "marquee player"
interviews,tv commentator gushing over promotion of marquee players, what x player
said in interview about another player, etc. etc.. In previous eras we the fans NEVER
heard any of this salesmanship (verbal/journalistic garbage) because the tennis stood
stong on its own with you know substance (good commentating about issues regarding
the actual sport and NOT endless stats and the players personal lives)!!!

I will post/comment on tennis but I believe these issues are interesting and deserve
to be discussed in a forum!!! IMHO the fans are too emotional nowadays because they
have been spoonfed superficial information (storylines about head to head, too many
stats, innuendos about GOAT debate etc, endless marquee player interviews, too much
over the top hype about "marquee players", and an endless talk show format on every
ESPN and Tennis Channel telecast) of which was NOT heard in the past eras!!!
because the fans were engaged enough with the actual matches!!!

My point is the actual tennis matches used to be enough to keep fans engaged in
the 70s, 80s, and 90s!!! Currently the ATP sell a "soap opera type" mish mash of
neverending storlines, head to head nonsense (never used to be important), and
overpromotion of "marquee players" in a tv talk show format)!!! HA HA....have
any of you noticed that there is toooo much talk and a decrease in actual footage
of live match play in majors!!! I predict in the future majors will be best 2 out of 3
so the commentators have more to time to talk and sell, hype, promote because
you know that seems to be more important than the actual substance of actually
watching Tennis!!!

Okay I made my point and will comment on matches, rankings, head to head, and
players.....Murreee!!!

Last edited by sneaky (Jan. 10, 2018 5:10pm)

  • Registered: Jan. 7, 2016
  • Posts: 285

Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Sneaky - What really makes you mad is that I am NOT "naive and very susceptible to
being fooled" by you...

I enjoy watching tennis - if I am being manipulated at least I am enjoying it...

What I do not enjoy are your endless rants...

#TennisRulesSneakyFools

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  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

I certainly did NOT mean to offend you but GOOGLE searches are
a useful tool and should NOT be diminished, Murreee. The TRUTH
is too many fans are mislead nowadays and are immune to
strong counter-arguments!!! I give the ATP gurus enormous credit
in selling Tennis with a very "soap opera type" format which brainwashes
many fans into believing NONSENSE (garbage) rather than the
SUBSTANCE some older fans witnessed in the 70s, 80s, and 90s!!! IMHO
the 90s was sadly the last decade where we witnessed substance without
being spoonfed nonsense from marketers across all sports!!!

I do NOT rant...........these are the observations of a 30+ year fan of
tennis, Murreee!!

  • Registered: Jan. 7, 2016
  • Posts: 285

Re: 2018 Aussie Open

So I am manipulated by ATP gurus and I am brainwashed into liking garbage matches... That is craziness...

I have watched tennis as long as you claim to have - I watched Connors/McEnroe and enjoyed it - I watched McEnroe/Borg and enjoyed it... Evert/Navatrolova - Graf/Navatrolova and so on - 80's, 90's - I have enjoyed them all...

I also watched Andy Murray beat Verdasco after falling behind by two sets in the 2013 Wimbledon quarterfinal - Then go on to win his first Slam... I guess you thought that was a fixed match and not a great display of grit and endurance - Anyway - I enjoyed it...

Just because I enjoy watching today's tennis doesn't mean I am brainwashed...

You like to make the people who don't agree with you feel stupid, manipulated, brainwashed and inferior to your great intellect and insight... Enough with your sneaky insults...

You say you are a 30+ year fan of tennis - But It appears you are only a fan of tennis 30+ years ago...

Move on to another topic...

Last edited by Murreee (Jan. 10, 2018 6:20pm)

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  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

My assessment of the sport of tennis is based on the evolution of the
sport, Murreee. It is NOT nor has it ever been my intention of insulting
my fellow tennis fans, Murreee!!! I appologize for the unintended insult!!!
My intellect and insight is no greater than any one else's Murreee!!!

I guess we will both have to agree that we disagree Murreee because there
is NO point on further discussion!!! There are excellent points on both sides
and IMHO we have observed an enormous change in the last 10 or 12 years!!!
Social media is a powerful tool used to market/sell/mislead many fans in a
very strong emotional way that was never possible before 2004!!! We have
different more emotional fans now that are extremely invested in tennis in a
very irrational way!!!

Yes.....moving on to other topics would be great and I definitely appologize
for any perception of condescending behavior on my part, Murreee!!!

  • Registered: Jan. 7, 2016
  • Posts: 285

Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Awesome...

PS: Appreciate your post on the WTA players forum...!!!

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  • Registered: Jan. 14, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Sneaky, I particularly enjoyed this picture you painted:

once-great sport that went rancid/moldy like a piece of fruit somebody forgot in their refrigerator

Keep it coming, buddy.  I find it very entertaining.  That is creative use of language.

Who do you think will win the Australian?

2017 Supreme Jedi, 2017 Lord Vader, 2017 Chivalrous Wookie, 2015 Naboo Champion, 2018 Big Fat Nothing
  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

The 2018 Australian Open will be quite a challenge to predict!!!

I believe we will see a new first time champion in the Men's
draw!!! It could be either Dimitrov,Zverev,Kyrgios, or Pouille!!!
The draw will be out sometime today which will give us greater
insight as to which of the above 4 will win IMHO!!!

The WTA is as always extremely tough to predict but that is what
makes it so interesting!!! Muguruza is IMHO the best when playing
well but she can have her ups and downs like all the others!!!
Halep is a good player and some might believe she is do for a win
after having come so close but she seems to get beaten by more
aggressive players!!! The WTA is very open especially without Serena
in the draw and it will be interesting to see who wins!!! I think Halep,
Keys, Muguruza or even Svitolina could win but obviously there are
others that are very capable of winning!!! I would put Muguruza,
Halep, then maybe Keys and Svitolina in that order but obviously
there are others that could win!!!

Uhh.....glad you enjoyed the quote Dwight....Uhh if you actually did!!!
Maybe I posted that after having mistakenly eaten some moldy fruit!!! LOL

Last edited by sneaky (Jan. 11, 2018 3:58pm)

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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Pouille?!?!?.....Really sneaky, he is yet to win a match in Melbourne so he wouldn't be on my list of potential first time winners.

P.S. I like your other options though. wink

Last edited by Tono (Jan. 11, 2018 5:35pm)

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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

HI. My name is Benny Legg and I do a podcast called the Benny Legg Show. It has tens of listeners and im looking for more. I have used this website since 2015 for the Australian Open. Its my favorite tournament and this site is great. In 2015 a friend of mine in my group  user dough_33 finished 1st in the USA and second in the world for his picks. Its a cool accomplishment but he doesnt have anything to honor it because this site has no prizes. SO I thought it would be cool if The Benny Legg Show podcast made 2 trophies and awarded 1 to the World winner and 1 to the USA winner. i will pay for them and send them to who i need to for winning. they arent fancy trophies just something cheap and ugly. Check out the Podcast to find out more and if anyone could get back to me that would be great. your segmant starts at the 13:07 mark.

https://soundcloud.com/bennylegg/the-wo … f-all-time

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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Hey everyone go out and support my buddy Benny Legg and his podcast the Benny Legg Show. Its available on iTunes and Soundcloud

  • Registered: Jan. 14, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

sneaky wrote:

The 2018 Australian Open will be quite a challenge to predict!!!

I believe we will see a new first time champion in the Men's
draw!!! It could be either Dimitrov,Zverev,Kyrgios, or Pouille!!!
The draw will be out sometime today which will give us greater
insight as to which of the above 4 will win IMHO!!!

The WTA is as always extremely tough to predict but that is what
makes it so interesting!!! Muguruza is IMHO the best when playing
well but she can have her ups and downs like all the others!!!
Halep is a good player and some might believe she is do for a win
after having come so close but she seems to get beaten by more
aggressive players!!! The WTA is very open especially without Serena
in the draw and it will be interesting to see who wins!!! I think Halep,
Keys, Muguruza or even Svitolina could win but obviously there are
others that are very capable of winning!!! I would put Muguruza,
Halep, then maybe Keys and Svitolina in that order but obviously
there are others that could win!!!

Uhh.....glad you enjoyed the quote Dwight....Uhh if you actually did!!!
Maybe I posted that after having mistakenly eaten some moldy fruit!!! LOL

Sneaky, I do in general enjoy the colorful way you present things, but that line was particularly good.  I liked it!

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  • Milo
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

You get more flies with honey and not vinegar Sneaky. And this group of people are not use to being berated for their views on tennis. It's just not how we roll because no one here is a troll.

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  • Registered: Aug. 21, 2011
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Pouille is a good young player and has had good results
at the US Open and Wimbledon, Tono!!! Yes you are correct
he has NEVER done well at the Australian but I think he
will at some point!!

I think Pouille has a good chance of winning a major at some
point because he has a solid game and he competes very well!!!
Hey Tono......the 3 out of 4 of the young players I mentioned are
all in the top half so it will be interesting if one of them go deep into
the 2nd week!!! It is kind of funny that many veterans are on the bottom
half with Alexander Zverev!!!

You are correct BHP all opinions should be respected and even with
strong opposing views there should always be respect!!!

I am stating the above sentence to myself, BHP!!!

Last edited by sneaky (Jan. 12, 2018 6:04am)

  • Don
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Re: 2018 Aussie Open

Milo (the player formerly known as BackhandPass) is, as he often is, absolutely right.  The regulars who have posted in this Forum for years now don't always agree, but all of us know a LOT about tennis and we respect that about one another. 

However, having read the above thread in its entirety, for me that does not extend to you, Sneaky.  Apparently some folks think you occasionally say things that make sense, but there was no evidence of that in your posts on this thread.  In fact, from your comments you seem to be utterly nuts.  Please do not compound that by saying insulting things to people who are FAR more knowledgeable about tennis than you are, which includes every single person who posted in this thread who is not you.  Yes, that's right, Sneaky.  Everyone else is NOT ignorant and foolish just because they don't believe all the nutjob goofball nonsense you spout.