ATP MASTERS 1000: Monte Carlo

Related to the tournament - apparently the security has been bad and crowds nuts in Monte Carlo--  Djokovic and Nadal were both swarmed and security almost overrun over the weekend by fans trying to get autographs,etc and Federer's hotel was so overrun by fans waiting for him on the street- he and his family moved to a different location- and  Federer held his workouts off facility.   Then today- Fed arrived at the facility to play a practice set with Stan and the crowd almost brought down the fence trying to see the practice.....   poorly run and planned tournament if this is going on and certainly not conducive to a safe envirmoment for players, their families, and the fans.

That's weird. MC is not what it used to be. It was a filthy rich place were people were so snob that they would all thought of themselves as stars wishing to be stalked more than stalking.

Anyhow, times change.

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Here is a pict of Djokovic where apparently it got out of control...


Fed today- the crowds are still huge, but he has much more security around him

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I thought that as well about Monte Carlo- the crowds would be above rock star frenzy but apparently not.  Fed looks amused though!

That's crazy.

I guess security is the problem.....but at the same time it's tough to handle such a crowd.

Tenez wrote:I guess security is the problem.....but at the same time it's tough to handle such a crowd.

Looks like only one guard with Djokovic that I can see-  they are saying it became crushing at some point and Djokovic had a look of terror in his eyes.. .can't blame him or the poor fan who gets trampled.

Maybe they need to reduce the size of the crowd that has that type of access..

I'll die and I won't understand people's need for autographs...or mobbing anyone like this, utterly degrading.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/16/Monte-Carlo-Monday-Nadal-Sailing.aspx

Nadal looks different in this clip. Big nose and deep wrinkles.

Also his English is not improving much. Either he pretends not to understand the question or he does not want to say why clay and MC is good for him. Though the answer is simple. It favours his physical game!

BTW NITB, how do you insert your videos? It doesn't seem to work for me.

I c&p the link in the Youtube option in the menu. Not sure whether it works with non-youtube videos.

1st hand account from Feds practice today from a longtime rf site follower- sounds like fed is in fine firm while Stan continues to struggle. Fed trying to keep stan's spirits up. If Stan makes it that far I doubt he is much of a test for nadal.

"
Crazy crowd today for Roger especially. I wasn't present so I didn't see Nadal but I assume also very crowdy. Rog didn't sign much on his way off practice understandingly so! and he seemed bothered also rightly so. But on another level, he had a very interesting practice! 2 full hours. 1 hours strokes, volleys, services. and the second hour they played a set him and Stan. I actually, and without jinx, I am finding Roger at the same level where he left at the DC. very very happy to see! Absolutely astonishing forehand, backhand, volleys were perfect. he had couple of backhand into the net, but not worth mentioning. he was very comfortable.
Stan on the other hand, he is also where he left after the AO, passing by the DC. long shots, into the net, out volleys. and at some times he seemed frustrated that Roger quickly would do something to make him smile or smooth things around.
Otherwise I am really happy from what I saw in this practice. Reallyyy!! always enjoying himself and making people enjoy it !
Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to watch some practices too."

Good to know. So Federer starts his match on Weds. That is not very good news.

Does anyone know when was the last time Fed won a tournament playing 5 matches in a row?

2009? if not 2007!

Or is it Paris 2011?

I can barely remember what I did 5 days ago let alone when Fed won 5 days in a row...

Nothing particularly interesting today, Berdych-Tursunov could be good.
JJ-Llodra on court 2 so unfortunately no cameras there...
Dimi-Granollers, Nole-Montanes...why can't the Spaniards produce a decent, watchable player on clay these days...

Andujar is actually not that bad.

It was Paris 2011. Quite impressive cause I do think he has had many wins like those. I noticed a long time ago that he always preferred to start the week on Monday and Tuesday when given the choice.

Tenez wrote:Andujar is actually not that bad.

He is definitely different from the rest. Could be a lot better if he improved his serve. Not the fastest mover either.

JJ went down easily to Llodra. Simon on his  way out to Gabashvili.
I saw a bit of dr Misha vs Seppi. I love watching him fight with his BH...he wins a few super points with it and then blows the entire game with  a really easy FH. His poor coach is hilarious in his sufferings and frustrations.
At least he lost with style.

There are so many bland, dull players on tour atm. Those that are glued to the base-line. So annoying to watch them. Extra points should start to be given for all court tennis!

Tsonga-Kholi next, could be good.

Nole looking smart in his new kit, blends well into the glamorous MC background.

Montanes may not be the winning machine, but he certainly knows his way around clay.

The whole tribe is there: parents, girlfriend, even Boris!

6:1 6:0. Enough said  

Tenez wrote:http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/16/Monte-Carlo-Monday-Nadal-Sailing.aspx

Nadal looks different in this clip. Big nose and deep wrinkles.

The only thing I always notice on his face are those shifty little eyes that say the opposite from his mouth.
You can't PR those...

What's wrong with JJ? He is on a losing streak this year.

No idea, I haven't seen him play for a while. He has had best results indoor and on grass, though.
Shouldn't've lost to Murray in that SF last year...

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/04/16/Monte-Carlo-Monday-Nadal-Sailing.aspx

Nadal looks different in this clip. Big nose and deep wrinkles.

The only thing I always notice on his face are those shifty little eyes that say the opposite from his mouth.
You can't PR those...

I'm just laughing at how he literly says "nothing"  It's just pure pc fluff-  but those type of "say nothing answers" isn't even needed. He would come across much better if he just answered the question.  the guys asks him to impart his wisdom to younger players,etc on what the difference between clay and other surfaces is Nadal can't even answer that honestly or indepth?  "make good adjustments"  no kidding!!  Federer and some of the other players would take the time to disect the differences..

Yep.."nothing! It's just a coincidence that I won 8 FOs and zillions of clay tournaments but no indoors masters."

Tursunov is such a nice, old-school type of player...great FH!

Berd manages to blast him off, though. In the last few games looked like he could put his house down on his FH...hit the corner down the line every time!
His thighs bigger than ever.

truffin1 wrote:1st hand account from Feds practice today from a longtime rf site follower- sounds like fed is in fine firm while Stan continues to struggle. Fed trying to keep stan's spirits up. If Stan makes it that far I doubt he is much of a test for nadal.  
"Otherwise I am really happy from what I saw in this practice. Reallyyy!!  always enjoying himself and making people enjoy it !
Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to watch some practices too."

I think I know how that person feels...must be great to be able to afford time and money to travel around and follow your favourite player...and may I say what a player!

I fondly remember my first ever trip to Wimbledon in 2011 (yes, that time I got kicked out...)
It was quite unexpected and I was so overflowing with excitement, I couldn't contain myself even on my local train to Paddington:  half of the compartment quickly found out where I was going, how much it meant to me, to Nole...one nice old lady responded and told me her Wimbledon story, wishing me fabulous time as she got off at her stop...

Then on the tube, I suppose even in Paddington, 99% people were heading to Southfields, but I wasn't quite aware of it at the time.
A man in his late 60s and a young woman sat opposite me and their hands were full of tennis relics..a RG phone cover, an AO hat...
Again, my happiness got the better of me and I started talking to them...and what a story it was!

They were Mexican, and his name was Louis, the young women, Adriana was his daughter. He had won a set of tickets for ALL 4 slams from QF to F  in a raffle at some Mazda car show...

The indescribable, mad, childlike joy on his face as he pulled those tickets out of his bag and showed them to me...like the most precious treasure!
I can only imagine what my face must have looked like...

At the time, I thought they were the luckiest people on Earth..and had another one of those deja vu moments of "phantom people" I had been associating tennis with  all my life.

Alas, Louis was heart-broken Fed was not in that final. He could not believe he managed to lose to Tsonga. I'll never forget his half-disgusted, half-devastated/angry voice as he kept repeating: Who is Ts-ON-ga...Who is Ts-ON-ga?

When we got off the train we took a few photos with my noleisthebest flag, exchanged emails...They can't afford to travel to tennis any more, so I occasionally send them a story or two from my match adventures.
I suppose he lived my dream and saw Nole win his 3 GS in 2011 live...

And that is one of the nicest things you can do in tennis: open up and speak to people.
So many just see the match and go home.

For me, the first love is still there. I simply can't help talking to people around me, there are so many interesting stories to be shared!

Long live tennis nation!  

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:What's wrong with JJ? He is on a losing streak this year.

I never quite liked his game. Lacked substance. Too intense, and incapable of producing results quietly. Always needed to be on rage to achieve anything.

Still would support him over other players.

Yes, he does seem to have this rage streak...when I saw him first in Bercy 2 years ago, I ascribed it to passion, but it's got worse since, too much of of almost disturbing yelling when striking the ball.
Still, I like watching him, esp in big matches.
He's got lots of heart.

What a day of tennis today, so many good matches on offer starting with Fognini's O Sole Mio Overture with Agut, should be a great one!

Neither with any huge blow away weapons, but have just about everything else.
Agut for me is a more watchable version of Ferrer, nicer, attacking FH and a good, patient competitive mind.

He is going to drive Fognini mad and I can't wait to see it  

I really enjoyed that match, Fognini is fast becoming one of my favourite players to watch on clay. So much skill and guile   

Agut wasn't bad either, he's got plenty of skill to keep the ball in play as well, but not much else.

Just hasn't got the magic...

Looking at this photo taken last night (25th anniversary of MC), you can see the cold body language from Franulovic, the TD, yep, he is no Fed fan...

Fed time

5:0 already!!!!!

Fed's in a hurry...and in good, attacking mood.

Job done in 51 mins.
Efficiently without frills, in cold, overcast windy conditions. Rosol in the next round.

Yes....now Nadal.....let's see what he can do on a cloudy day .

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Am I the only one that thinks Nadal is not the best on clay?
He is the beAst on clay.

Well easy:

Over a set there are probably 10 players better than him. Federer clearly is better than Nadal over a set. Fed and Medvedev have the most efficient tennis on clay. Almagro can also produce a better tennis, Davydenko, Delpo, and many others.

Best of 3 sets....then it's a very different story! I'd say 3 to 4 players can beat him and produce a more efficient tennis.

best of 5. Only one has beaten him but a few came close. So I'd say no-one has proved he is better than him. In Federer's favour, Federer often cut through the FO draw with more ease than Nadal proving again that Fed's game was more efficient (better?) than Nadal...but unfortunately when it came to their encounter....Nadal simply outlast the player who first outsmarted him.

Over 10 seasons...Nadal is sadly the best.

As I said above many are better than nadal on clay over a few games. Even Gavashil is better than Nadal. he has the better shots, especially on a cloudy day where the ball doesn't bounce as high....yet we know he'll probably lose this match cause over 2 or 3 sets, the Spaniard, strength, his stamina, will make the difference....but certainly not his shots.

I thought he may trouble him for a set if he starts with the right attitude, too. Only saw a few points he played against Simon the other day, definitely has a tennis mind on him if allowed space.

I'd better start watching!

Seeing how safely Nadal is short-balling esp on his BH, it's amazing Nole has allowed him to win so many times.
If he keeps his focus this year, Nadal has no chance. Not even in RG.
No amount of juice will help the lack of confidence he's got to be feeling against Nole this year. I noticed no panic at all there in Miami. Just a matter of keeping injury-free.

agree

problem for Djoko is not Nadal but the rest of the field.

Yes...so far only the big hitters and Fed have been difficult for him, the former as they drain him off the energy, Fed, "just" his speed.

With RG coming, part of me wants Nole to destroy Nadal there, but the other side wants to see a fantastic Fed-Nole final.

For some reason I am starting to believe Nadal could go out early there this year.

As expected, Gabashvilli was able to hit the lines for 4 games and after that he started to miss them by a couple of inches which forced him to play more secure and allow Nadal to get into rallies, long rallies, which got the better of the Russian.

Seppi will not even bother trying!

Yes, it was sad to watch him being consumed and mincemeated by the power bicep, but at least he went down in style, right down to the last point. Didn't roll out like most...good that he showed no fear!

Watching Nadal win that match showing virtually no tennis skill made me again wonder how on earth he won what he did...

He's always reminded me of that ugly white pitbul who gets his teeth into you and doesn't let go until it saps you of all energy to fight.

That's why I so dislike watching him play Fed on slow courts. You are literally witnessing a butchering act. Sheer masocism.

Seppi...nice guy, but so boring to watch!

I am very curious to see how Stan starts on clay, he needs to stop the post AO rot.
Could easily slip against Cilic.

Ouch!
A bagel in 18 minutes.....I think that dispels any doubt.
Mind you, Cilic playing pathetic today.

Order of play out for tomorrow, again starting with Fognini, this time against Tsonga.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2014/410/op.pdf

noleisthebest wrote:Looking at this photo taken last night (25th anniversary of MC), you can see the cold body language from Franulovic, the TD, yep, he is no Fed fan...

did he say something negative about Fed?  I just read an article on Fed's website where he called Fed "King Roger" and says he was on the phone with Tony Godsnick constantly trying to get Fed to come back to MC... goes on to say that while Nadal and Djokovic are big stars, no one compares to the excitement Federer brings to tournament..   He couldn't have been more kissass in this article.

Forget about Gasquet and Dimitrov, here's some real Baby Fed talk:


"So we're just waiting. It's a priority for me trying to be there, trying to support my wife. I've played enough tennis matches. Missing a tournament or missing a match wouldn't change anything for me."
Asked if that means he would be prepared to miss the French Open, which runs from May 25 to June 8, the 17-time Grand Slam champion hinted that he would.
"Yeah, let's talk about it when it would happen. At the moment we hope it's not going to be that way. If it is, that's what it is, you know."

He's bluffing a bit. Fed has been flying back from MC to  "home" wherever that is the past few days...   I think the baby is just about ready to be born.  Some on his website think the baby is already here- but I doubt Federer would be playing if so..   No way she makes it to RG though without the baby being born.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/27054225

Hopefully it won't come to that! But if it does, no big deal tbh. It's Fed's least successful Slam (and prob least favourite too). If he does skip it means his consecutive Slam appearance stat will end on 57, the highest of any player (and 1 ahead of Wayne Ferreira.

I don't understand why Fed would be missing a slam because of a birth. Sure he can afford it, not for the glory nor the money, but I do not see why he can't travel back to the courts once the baby is out. So many fathers, including myself had to carry on working the following day or the day after next at most.
 
Here it is a second, well third child...so.....It's so easy for him to travel back and forth...
 
But yes I would miss the TMS if I were him. Slams are a bit different.