[Matt01]

I can't believe it but I agree with Looner again on his last few postst

Originally Posted by Mark Lenders

I hope this calamity is enough for those people who keep yapping on about how this is the strongest era ever and similar nonsense shut up for good.

Well, to be fair GOATsquet is very good, talented player (not a pusher like Ferrer) so him being Top 10 is hardly a sign of a weak era

[Mark Lenders]

Originally Posted by Matt01

Well, to be fair GOATsquet is very good, talented player (not a pusher like Ferrer) so him being Top 10 is hardly a sign of a weak era

Gasquet is a bigger pusher than Ferrer.

[duong]

Originally Posted by Sanya

Does it matter with which score he was beated by Berdych or anyone else, had he chances there or not? Ranking isn`t about better player or anything, but just points - again I think you understand it better than many posters here.

I`m not going to convince you, doing the same - pointing my opinion. And it so happend that analysis have something to do with my work too and to some extent following sport I estimate and compare difference numbers also on regular basis.

"Luck" is very full of meanings definition. It can be intresting discussion about it, but off-topic - maybe the thread about luck and how everyone understands it in sport should be created, can be quite intresting stuff.

if the question is just who is ahead of the other in the rankings we both know the answer then well

yes, losing to Berdych on such a tight score and after a great match in the Australian open counts in my eyes because it shows that the guy played very well and that with a better draw, the guy could have gone further.

I said I like to look at things precisely and I believe in luck in matches then I will surely not content of the binary thought X wins/Y loses.

Now I understand that as a Gasquet fan, you don't accept what I say, but that's my opinion and I won't change it without great deep arguments.

Besides, when I say that I think Almagro deserved it more, I didn't only mean that I think he made overall a better year, but also that he wanted it much more, did everything he could to reach the WTF in the end of this year (played Stockholm where he could only win points by winning the tournament against Berdych and Tsonga, attended Tipsy's match yesterday, fought hard against Ramos and Tsonga, it was obvious that he really wanted it). Gasquet is different : he already played the WTF some years ago and he doesn't have a great motivation for this sport, that's the main reason why it's hard for me to support him by the way. For him qualifying for the WTF or not won't change his life (except that as a substitute he will get several ten thousand dollars to spend in Harrod's or elsewhere).

[Matt01]

Originally Posted by Mark Lenders

Gasquet is a bigger pusher than Ferrer.

I was being ironic. Neither player is a pusher.

[Mark Lenders]

Originally Posted by Matt01

I was being ironic. Neither player is a pusher.

I hope you're being ironic now too

[Certinfy]

Never thought I would be saying this but I'm VERY happy Gasquet is back in the top 10. Much prefer him over Monaco being there.

[Sanya]

Originally Posted by duong

if the question is just who is ahead of the other in the rankings we both know the answer then well

yes, losing to Berdych on such a tight score and after a great match in the Australian open counts in my eyes because it shows that the guy played very well and that with a better draw, the guy could have gone further.

I said I like to look at things precisely and I believe in luck in matches then I will surely not content of the binary thought X wins/Y loses.

Now I understand that as a Gasquet fan, you don't accept what I say, but that's my opinion and I won't change it without great deep arguments.

Besides, when I say that I think Almagro deserved it more, I didn't only mean that I think he made overall a better year, but also that he wanted it much more, did everything he could to reach the WTF in the end of this year (played Stockholm where he could only win points by winning the tournament against Berdych and Tsonga, attended Tipsy's match yesterday, fought hard against Ramos and Tsonga, it was obvious that he really wanted it). Gasquet is different : he already played the WTF some years ago and he doesn't have a great motivation for this sport, that's the main reason why it's hard for me to support him by the way. For him qualifying for the WTF or not won't change his life (except that as a substitute he will get several ten thousand dollars to spend in Harrod's or elsewhere).

You are focusing too much on the fact that I`m Gasquet fan. I believe that here my point of view is based more on facts/results more.

Though I don`t want to discuss it eternally, nothing wrong with your position either. It`s extremely close, otherwise they didn`t have the same numbers.

[Puschkin]

Originally Posted by duong

I still think Almagro deserved it more than Gasquet, more consistent, harder draws ... but one has to look at everything in detail to understand.

Exactly. So, how can Almagro have had harder draws than Richard throughout the year, when he was always better ranked than 12? He avoided the Top 4 in 1/8 of the big events, while Richard had to confront them much more often.

Originally Posted by duong

As for Gasquet, he said he had planned one week holiday in London anyway, he has tickets for an Arsenal match and wants to make some shopping in Harrod's

If you'd take the effort to look behind the face value, you would know that Richard always is pure understatement in pressers. That can be dull, but he never was and will be the one going out and telling the media "I am going to win this", apparently this is his way of dealing with too high expectations which he knows a lot about.

Not voicing his ambition in public doesn't mean he has none.

[duong]

Originally Posted by Sanya

Though I don`t want to discuss it eternally, nothing wrong with your position either. It`s extremely close, otherwise they didn`t have the same numbers.

the difference is Toronto

[Sanya]

Originally Posted by duong

the difference is Toronto

OK, let`s continue.

Yes, the difference is Toronto. And what next, what do you mean? Gasquet was lucky with the draw at Masters event where usually you have to beat someone out of TOP-4 to get to the final - you mean that? And saying that Gasquet was more lucky with the draws overall you mean that very tournament, don`t you? I look at this fact vice versa it seems - Gasquet used his chance, even if it was such one only. Almagro his chances at this kind of events didn`t use in the same way at all, even once. Ergo Gasquet deserved this spot more with other more or less similar results. Is my point clear at least?

[duong]

Originally Posted by Puschkin

If you'd take the effort to look behind the face value, you would know that Richard always is pure understatement in pressers. That can be dull, but he never was and will be the one going out and telling the media "I am going to win this", apparently this is his way of dealing with too high expectations which he knows a lot about.

Not voicing his ambition in public doesn't mean he has none.

As you know, I'm French and follow tennis quite closely (I know you also do follow him closely as well including in French media but it must be hard when French language is not your mother language), then I think I've heard and seen enough from him to have my opinion on his personality.

anyway, he wanted to get that WTF substitute seat but nothing like Almagro's.

Besides, independently from his personality, the fact that he did already play the WTF is also a reason why he didn't have the same motivation as Almagro.

[Topspindoctor]

Drugsquet in top 10 again would be worse catastrophe for this sport than Del Potro winning a slam.

[duong]

Originally Posted by Sanya

OK, let`s continue.

Yes, the difference is Toronto. And what next, what do you mean? Gasquet was lucky with the draw at Masters event where usually you have to beat someone out of TOP-4 to get to the final - you mean that? And saying that Gasquet was more lucky with the draws overall you mean that very tournament, don`t you? I look at this fact vice versa it seems - Gasquet used his chance, even if it was such one only. Almagro his chances at this kind of events didn`t use in the same way at all, even once. Ergo Gasquet deserved this spot more with other more or less similar results. Is my point clear at least?

Almagro was not there in Toronto -and Cincy- (injured)

but I don't mean just Toronto.

I'm sure you know what happened to Gasquet quite well but to Almagro, I'm not so sure.

Anyway, I don't want to go in a fuss with you, is that clear ? I said my opinion, you said yours, that's enough and it's no fun for me. Anyway they have the same number of points and one is first substitute, the other one second and both will be in London even though Gasquet has more chance to play (but could very well end up not playing like Tsonga in 2010)

[Mark Lenders]

Originally Posted by Topspindoctor

Drugsquet in top 10 again would be worse catastrophe for this sport than Del Potro winning a slam.

Of course.

Del Potro winning a Slam = glorious for the game

Gasquet in the top 10 = tennis on life support

[Puschkin]

Originally Posted by duong

As you know, I'm French and follow tennis quite closely (I know you also do follow him closely as well including in French media but it must be hard when French language is not your mother language), then I think I've heard and seen enough from him to have my opinion on his personality.

I am not entering a debate about my level of French or a personality discussion about a guy, I only exchanged some words with. But from the little I have seen, I remain convinced that media presence or not makes a huge difference with him.

And like it or not: Unless Simon wins Bercy, Richard will be 10 and Almagro 11 on Monday. End of debate.