[Tennis Fool]

This is what's wrong with the ATP. They've marketed these young BALLZ who continually fail to deliver.

Look at the WTA: You don't see a Aranxta v. Monica matchup in the finals, DESTROYING opponents in their wake.

Now you have NEW LEGS: The Williams sisters, 20 and 22.

I guess the men's ratings will be up tho because everyone atleast knows who Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras are.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Two champs are having their last hurrah..

Why rag on the rest of the guys, when we can enjoy a little history?

 

[Dissident]

You´re posting like 100 messages a minute to bash men´s tennis? Are you sure you are in the right board???

 

[irma]

that's all because the queen is retired and rather jumps for her husband

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Lets examine a few of these New Balls, shall we?

Hewitt and Safin have both won slams, and reached number on in the world. Safin has been in the semis of every slam except Wimbledon, where he has been to the quarters.

Haas is a two time slam semi finalist, masters series winner, who has reached number two in the world.

Ferrero is a two time semifinalist, and grand slam runnerup, two time masters series winner, former number two player in the world.

Guga (who was by no means NEW anyways ), has won masters series, a slam, the masters cup, and reached number one in the world since the New Balls label was given to him.

You're right, they are pitiful.

 

[Tennis Fool]

Hitman,

If I'm posting a 100 messages a minute, what kind of fan does that tell you I am???

I don't see anyone else posting to support them...

(I'm not against Sampras and Agassi, I just want to see the ATP do better as a whole)

 

[irma]

30 and 32 is not that old, I think people exaggerate a little. they are not 60!
in athletics and cycling most reach the top early in their thirties!

 

[Tennis Fool]

30 and 32 is not that old, I think people exaggerate a little. they are not 60!
=============================================
Don't tell that to the CBS commentators! LOL

 

[TennisHack]

Hitman,

If I'm posting a 100 messages a minute, what kind of fan does that tell you I am???

I don't see anyone else posting to support them...

Um, have you seen the first page of the forum? EVERYONE is all about Sampras & Agassi. And the New Balls are dominating the players' forum.

And I have no idea what kind of fan you are if you post 100 messages a minute. Rabid?

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I don't think we should use one tournament as the staple for how the ATP is doing.

4 of 8 slam finalists this year have been under the age of 23. Hewitt, Ferrero, Safin, and David.

The Wimbledon final was the youngest in 10-15 years or something like that (since Agassi-Goran I beleive).

Yes they have some improvements to make, and it would be nice if the young guys would step up more, but lets not lose sight of what they HAVE done.

 

[Layla]

ATP does NOT have a problem. I love this transitional period when new stars are coming through. Everything goes through cycles and the world of tennis is no exception. You can't expect these young players to have 10 slams to their name when they have barely turned 20. Why are people so impatient?

I really do love the ATP as it is now - its diversity and unpredictabilty. There are so many exciting players around, young and old. I don't like domination of any kind.

 

[Dissident]

So we should count if people are good fans or not for the number of posts they have? Hmmm.
I dont get it

 

[Tennis Fool]

And I have no idea what kind of fan you are if you post 100 messages a minute. Rabid?
===========================================
I was waiting for someone to muck up a RHETORICAL question.

Congratulations on being the first.

Anyway, if I don't want to see a Agassi/Sampras final and am the only one on this board, why do you care?

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

I also wanted to add something about difference between men and womens players.

As a rule, women mature faster.

Which is why you don't see women in their early 30's duking it for slams (heck, only a small handful over 25 even contend).

So to compare the Williams sisters at 22 and 20, to Safin or Hewitt at those ages is pointless. The top women dominate more than the top men. Its almost always been that way.

 

[TennisHack]

And I have no idea what kind of fan you are if you post 100 messages a minute. Rabid?
===========================================
I was waiting for someone to muck up a RHETORICAL question.

Congratulations on being the first.

Anyway, if I don't want to see a Agassi/Sampras final and am the only one on this board, why do you care?

How was that a rhetorical question? It looked like you wanted an answer to me

And just FYI, you aren't the only one who doesn't care to see Round 34 of Agassi and Sampras. But the rest of us don't have to post it ten million times to make our emotions clear on the matter.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Tennis Fool - I noticed that you came down a little hard on the new balls, and I felt I came up with a very good rebuttle.

Are you going to reply to it?

 

[Dissident]

Hackie

And sorry to Becca MSN is not working anymore. :fiery:

 

[Tennis Fool]

Layla, Rebecca:

Thanks for your sincere posts. I see your points but Rebecca, everything you mention the New Balls doing, Agassi/Sampras had achieved and then some by 1993/1994.

Tennis as both a recreational and spectator sport has declined in the last twenty years since the days of Connors/Bjorg/McEnroe.
Rivalries are what get people interested, and when Sampras/Agassi is over who's there to pick up the torch?

The WTA got the CBS night coverage because the ratings are through the roof. This wasn't the case before the rivalries of Anna, Hingis, and the Williams sisters. Now people can't get enough.

When you say Monica, Venus, Serena, Kournikova, most Americans know who you are talking about.

Besides Sampras/Agassi, most Americans don't know any other current tennis players on the ATP.

Layla, besides Hewitt, I don't know of any other ATP player who is seriously challenging for the crown.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Besides Sampras/Agassi, most Americans don't know any other current tennis players on the ATP.

I think you just adressed a major problem right there.

Football is doing quite alright with little American support, as will tennis.

ATP is just going through a transition period. The older generation, which consists of two old time greats will be gone in a couple years. And not all the young guys are ready to pick up where they left off.

But eventually, it won't just be Hewitt who is.

 

[Sonic]

i dunno, 30 and 32 is kinda old, when slams have a 35 and over category for their seniors event