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Around The Grounds => The Sports Desk => Topic started by: ItsOurTime on January 19, 2015, 08:26:52 am

Title: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ItsOurTime on January 19, 2015, 08:26:52 am
Let's get it out the way early and keep the rants confined to 1 thread this year :P
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on January 19, 2015, 09:53:18 am
Let's get it out the way early and keep the rants confined to 1 thread this year :P

Straights sets to the Sheik IMO over the past few years...Stosur is one of the most disappointing players on the Tennis tour given
her talent and physical capabilities. She has proven that Sport is largely played above her broad shoulders and that mental disintegration
is alive and well in the heat of the battle...
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Sexybronco on January 19, 2015, 01:01:53 pm
Let's get it out the way early and keep the rants confined to 1 thread this year :P

Straights sets to the Sheik IMO over the past few years...Stosur is one of the most disappointing players on the Tennis tour given
her talent and physical capabilities. She has proven that Sport is largely played above her broad shoulders and that mental disintegration
is alive and well in the heat of the battle...

Stosur and Shane Watson are in the same boat IMO, hvae the natural ability but not the mental strength to capitalize. I'm sure if we researched their family trees we'd find they're related.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 19, 2015, 01:19:13 pm
Sammy would smash Shane in an arm wrestle any day of the week......
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Sexybronco on January 19, 2015, 01:23:45 pm
Sammy would smash Shane in an arm wrestle any day of the week......

That's nasty!!!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 19, 2015, 01:33:58 pm
Shouldn't Agey be included in this? :P
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Mantis on January 19, 2015, 09:30:40 pm
I agree that the body can be built however you want, if the space between the ears doesn't work properly you have no hope under pressure. Sheik by a country mile. ;)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: HaroldBishop on January 20, 2015, 09:29:48 am
Yes Sheik has achieved as much as Stosur. No doubt she has issues in her mind but she's still won grand slam tournament. Been a while since an Aussie girl did that.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: age on January 21, 2015, 03:29:49 pm
Shouldn't Agey be included in this? :P

I am queitly watching in the background.  When she chokes, I will be on here in a flash.  :P
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: cimm1979 on January 21, 2015, 05:14:56 pm
I reckon she's great.

Winning a slam title is about as difficult as it gets in women's sport.
Seems like a good kid as well.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LanceRomance on January 21, 2015, 06:09:33 pm
Where is Sheik? On an over 28's singles cruise?
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on January 21, 2015, 06:13:43 pm
I reckon she's great.

Winning a slam title is about as difficult as it gets in women's sport.
Seems like a good kid as well.

I think she is a decent person and rather sensitive which doesnt come across being such a physical player and I think its the sensitivity
that gets the demons working in her mind which often leads to her downfall..
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 21, 2015, 08:16:37 pm
I reckon she's great.

Winning a slam title is about as difficult as it gets in women's sport.
Seems like a good kid as well.

This.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 21, 2015, 09:14:21 pm
I reckon she's great.

Winning a slam title is about as difficult as it gets in women's sport.
Seems like a good kid as well.

Me too!

And she is as fit as  :)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: raven on January 22, 2015, 01:50:40 pm
Great guns... she has them. yes.

Apparently she is over her previous nagging foot injury issues... will be interesting to see if it aligns in a turn (improve) in form or she continues to do a 'watto'...

love the watto analogy too. brilliant.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Juddkreuzer on January 23, 2015, 01:06:35 am
Gone!!
Along with Lleyton. Proverbial time wasters.

I'll support Aussie players when they have the skills to compete.

Until such time I shall remain a staunch fan of Sharapova and Federer. The latter is the consummate professional who Kyrigios could learn so much from.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 23, 2015, 07:02:38 am
Wow a few harsh comments in here. Lleyton is a bit of a nob I agree but that's what happens when you travel with your parents for fifteen years. But to say he's not a competitor? Most players have thrown in the towel by this stage of their careers. It's his competitiveness that has kept him going.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 23, 2015, 09:19:58 am
Koko was awesome last night.  Sam didn't do much wrong but she simply couldn't match Koko's power.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on January 23, 2015, 09:42:01 am
Koko was awesome last night.  Sam didn't do much wrong but she simply couldn't match Koko's power.

Koko was very good but I thought SS dropped her bundle when she realized she couldnt out muscle her opponent and
didnt seem to have another plan...
Think she needs a coach who can add a bit more nous to her game to go with the power...
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on January 23, 2015, 09:52:17 am
Wow a few harsh comments in here. Lleyton is a bit of a nob I agree but that's what happens when you travel with your parents for fifteen years. But to say he's not a competitor? Most players have thrown in the towel by this stage of their careers. It's his competitiveness that has kept him going.

Agree Lleyton is a bit of a knob but agree he is very competitive given he is very undersized compared with most
modern day players and relies on running every shot down and that gets harder as you get older.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 23, 2015, 03:44:26 pm
Koko was awesome last night.  Sam didn't do much wrong but she simply couldn't match Koko's power.

What exactly did she do right?

The double fault to give CV the break in the first - deplorable.......whomever coaches the woman ain't doing much of a job imo.

Stosur never has a plan B.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 23, 2015, 07:27:05 pm
Wow a few harsh comments in here. Lleyton is a bit of a nob I agree but that's what happens when you travel with your parents for fifteen years. But to say he's not a competitor? Most players have thrown in the towel by this stage of their careers. It's his competitiveness that has kept him going.

Agree Lleyton is a bit of a knob but agree he is very competitive given he is very undersized compared with most
modern day players and relies on running every shot down and that gets harder as you get older.

I like Lleyton but he should've given up 4 years ago. It was painful watching him back then, now it's unbearable. Yes he's a competitor, but his serve is weak, his ground strokes have no penetration, and he has no tricks or particularly great shot he can pull out when the heat is on. His pace isn't what it used to be, and whilst he's still a good returner of serve, his returns have no guts. And talking himself up is tedious. He seems to be aiming for "troubling the better players" as the best he can do.

Give it up Lleyton.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 23, 2015, 09:22:40 pm
Maybe he just can't let go of the dream. Maybe he still makes decent coin off the circuit. Who knows?
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 23, 2015, 10:05:57 pm
Maybe he just can't let go of the dream. Maybe he still makes decent coin off the circuit. Who knows?

Possibly all true Chris.

If you use the end of year ATP tennis rankings, the last year Hewitt finished in the top 20 was 2006. He's been kicking tyres for a while now. From 2010 onwards he's had end of year rankings of :
54 (2010)
186 (2011)
83 (2012)
60 (2013)
50 (2014)

And that, ladies and gents, says it all.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 23, 2015, 10:08:02 pm
^^

Mate if he's coming 50th he's surely making a decent living? What would 50th earn in a year's takings?
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Mantis on January 23, 2015, 10:36:14 pm
^^

Mate if he's coming 50th he's surely making a decent living? What would 50th earn in a year's takings?

Well lets say Kyrgios is outside the top 50 and may go top 40 by this tournament. He has earned $750,000 in his career of the third year as a pro if I am correct. If he lost in round 4 he would have earned his first million. $500,000 to a million per year is not being unrealistic if you can get through the first 3 rounds, as they are earning $250,000 by that point of each tournament. Then you have sponsors, advertisments, etc. Hewitt is on a huge wicket for certain. That is just an educated guess by what I have heard players getting as the exit a round. Most of the grand slams are reasonably similar.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 23, 2015, 10:53:25 pm
^^

Mate if he's coming 50th he's surely making a decent living? What would 50th earn in a year's takings?

Chris, I don't know what a 50th ranked male player would earn on the tour. As I stated earlier, he may well be eking out every last nickel before he packs it in. And so he should.

Personally, I find his rather precipitous decline as a force in men's tennis pretty disappointing.  If he wants to be a lifestyle player, then wish him the best of luck, play him on court 20 and be done with it. He hasn't troubled a decent player in ages, and he isn't really interesting to watch any more.

My 2 bob's worth.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Wet Willie on January 23, 2015, 11:12:55 pm
So...since having his operations in 2011, Hewitt has increased his ranking each year since - what's not to like??!!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LanceRomance on January 23, 2015, 11:22:21 pm
So...since having his operations in 2011, Hewitt has increased his ranking each year since - what's not to like??!!

People are hung up on him being a knob 15 years ago...

imo he was a massive knob but he has matured
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 23, 2015, 11:27:22 pm
So...since having his operations in 2011, Hewitt has increased his ranking each year since - what's not to like??!!

I never said I didn't like him.

Hewitt will be 34 in 1 month. Where exactly do you think his ranking, and indeed his tennis, is going to go ?

Maybe the issue isn't Hewitt himself. Given the fact that he pursues other things like commentating as well as playing the tour, maybe he's already accepted that he's no longer a threat, and as Chris says, is just earning a living. Maybe my issue is more with the Australian public and the Australian media, who seems to pump up his tyres this time every year, when will all know he doesn't have what it takes, and hasn't for a good while. Which isn't his fault.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Juddkreuzer on January 23, 2015, 11:48:40 pm
Maybe he just can't let go of the dream. Maybe he still makes decent coin off the circuit. Who knows?

It's the most logical explanation. Clearly he doesn't have the tools knock off the players that matter and in a slam that means reaching the 4th round is a win.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ItsOurTime on January 24, 2015, 12:10:06 am
He probably just enjoys competing and thinks he's an outside chance every time he goes out there...
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Wet Willie on January 24, 2015, 08:41:05 am
Considering the damage tennis has done to his body (which have not been made public), it astounding he is even close to getting on a tennis court these days.

But, he takes the game seriously and while he can compete, he will...you are retired for a long time.

He is still highly regarded by the other players on the circuit (Federer is one of his biggest fans) and is not seen as an easy win.

And maybe he is playing for himself and not the armchair experts - is there really a problem with that?
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 24, 2015, 10:41:10 am
Considering the damage tennis has done to his body (which have not been made public), it astounding he is even close to getting on a tennis court these days.

But, he takes the game seriously and while he can compete, he will...you are retired for a long time.

He is still highly regarded by the other players on the circuit (Federer is one of his biggest fans) and is not seen as an easy win.

And maybe he is playing for himself and not the armchair experts - is there really a problem with that?

It may well be astounding that he is still playing given his injuries. I'll take your word for it, since as you say they have not been made public.

You say he takes the game seriously and while he can compete, he will. Fine.

You also say that other players really respect him, including Federer. Given that Fed has an 18-9 win loss record against him (I'm betting most of Hewitt's 9 victories were early in his career) and given that there is no evidence that any public utterances by sportsmen necessarily represent their true feelings, I'll leave it to the "armchair experts" to sort that one out.

The fact remains he is now (and has been for the last several seasons) an ordinary player who really has no weapons to use against half decent players. He is uninteresting to watch, and I would highly doubt the surprise victory people are waiting for will ever eventuate.

These are only my opinions. If you enjoy watching him play, then that's fine. 
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Wet Willie on January 24, 2015, 02:28:30 pm
So, why does this matter...??

Anybody who can constantly play in the top 100 is a good player.  Hewitt has done this for over a decade.

There are other very good players who have a taste of the circuit and walk away early for any number of reasons.

Every athlete has their ups and downs...but to send him out to pasture because he is not performing at an elite level all the time is harsh.

If you feel he is just doing it for the money and to make up numbers, the new hole in the training room wall might suggest otherwise...

To put this into perspective, he is excited that last year was the first time in memory he can play with no pain.  Look at the way he walks - he is no longer pigeon toed due to strapping.

If he is happy to play at a reasonable level in his final years - without pain - why not let him!!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 24, 2015, 02:54:11 pm
So, why does this matter...??

Anybody who can constantly play in the top 100 is a good player.  Hewitt has done this for over a decade.

There are other very good players who have a taste of the circuit and walk away early for any number of reasons.

Every athlete has their ups and downs...but to send him out to pasture because he is not performing at an elite level all the time is harsh.

If you feel he is just doing it for the money and to make up numbers, the new hole in the training room wall might suggest otherwise...

To put this into perspective, he is excited that last year was the first time in memory he can play with no pain.  Look at the way he walks - he is no longer pigeon toed due to strapping.

If he is happy to play at a reasonable level in his final years - without pain - why not let him!!

I have no control over Hewitt or anyone else. If he wants to play till he's 100, good luck to him.

You seem to make a big issue of his injuries, that somehow we should all be grateful that he's playing at all. Yes, if what you say is true, then it's a gutsy effort from him, and you wouldn't expect anything less. But that doesn't make him a player worth watching, it doesn't make him a good player, and it doesn't make any of his matches memorable.

I'll say it again. I like Hewitt. But seeing him become an average player really saddens me. Better to burn out than to fade away IMO.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Gointocarlton on January 24, 2015, 05:41:20 pm
Sam Stosur - Built like Tarzan, plays like Jane.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: HaroldBishop on January 28, 2015, 12:32:00 pm
He would have a bucket load of money, I doubt it has anything to do with earning a living. Maybe he just loves playing tennis, has anyone thought of that?
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 28, 2015, 10:48:31 pm
He would have a bucket load of money, I doubt it has anything to do with earning a living. Maybe he just loves playing tennis, has anyone thought of that?

Exactly HB.

Only folk who love playing tennis could make the effort required to prepare for a tournament, let alone a Grand Slam tournament.

Lleyton is not my favourite Australian sportsperson but I do admire his resilience and determination.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Mantis on January 28, 2015, 11:13:33 pm
Don't forget its all he has ever done at Professional level since he was 17 and probably since he was 8 years of age. try stopping someone doing what they have known best for 20 to 30 years. he would make an excellent coach in my opinion. He really knows what he is talking about.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LordLucifer on January 29, 2015, 11:05:43 am
The Oracle spoke & the minions listened !!

Sam Stosur has the talent to be a genuine Top 10 ranked player in the world but never will be because she suffers from the thing that got Michael Hutchence into trouble.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 29, 2015, 07:07:15 pm
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/pat-rafter-steps-down-as-davis-cup-captain-hewitt-to-fill-breach-after-playing-2016-australian-open-20150129-131a2n.html
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ItsOurTime on September 08, 2015, 05:59:33 pm
Unlike Sheik to leave an opportunity to kick someone this long
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LordLucifer on January 19, 2016, 09:44:37 am
Booted out of the Aussie Open in the first round ................... again !!!

Straight sets too !!!

Don't go changing on my account Ms. Stosur !!

Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 19, 2016, 11:05:46 am
Booted out of the Aussie Open in the first round ................... again !!!

Straight sets too !!!

Don't go changing on my account Ms. Stosur !!

i watched 10 minutes - it was unbearable......she couldn't even flick a dead ball to one of the ball boys/girls with any skill....
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: laj on January 19, 2016, 03:26:22 pm
I put it as a Keyboard Warrior v Dual Grand Slam Finalist and former US Open champion. There's only one winner there.

She has issues with pressure for sure and at 31 is probably at the wrong end of her career but. hey, who can knock her record.

When a keyboard warrior can achieve better than that then pipe up and bag them. Criticise where it's warranted but to call someone of that ilk a dud as they once did, well get out and do better or shut up.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 19, 2016, 04:08:20 pm
I'll never understand why people derive such pleasure from criticising Stosur. She reached the pinnacle of women's tennis in winning a Grand Slam which correct me if I'm wrong was vs Serena Williams on the anniversary of 9/11 in her home court.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 19, 2016, 06:16:03 pm
I'll never understand why people derive such pleasure from criticising Stosur. She reached the pinnacle of women's tennis in winning a Grand Slam which correct me if I'm wrong was vs Serena Williams on the anniversary of 9/11 in her home court.

I have to agree; tall poppy syndrome perhaps?

She is a frustrating player to follow though  ::)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Gointocarlton on January 19, 2016, 06:52:03 pm
Turn it up fellas, she's choked in the first round at her home Open now 4 times. She, like any other sport person, is open to criticism, despite past achievements, when you put up performances like that.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LordLucifer on January 19, 2016, 07:37:40 pm
I put it as a Keyboard Warrior v Dual Grand Slam Finalist and former US Open champion. There's only one winner there.

She has issues with pressure for sure and at 31 is probably at the wrong end of her career but. hey, who can knock her record.

When a keyboard warrior can achieve better than that then pipe up and bag them. Criticise where it's warranted but to call someone of that ilk a dud as they once did, well get out and do better or shut up.

She played a woman ranked 112 in the world who then broke down and twice needed medical treatment to her right leg and she couldn't knock her off.

Seriously, if you are ranked in the 20's, this should of been a mere formality !!!!

Quote
Sam Stosur has lost in the first round and is out of the Australian Open. Again. This should be a news story but is not.

Stosur losing in the first round is no longer a surprise for, disappointingly, she has too often been here before. Stosur lost to Pliskova of the Czech Republic in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night and even more disappointingly it was not even to the good Pliskova sister.

Australia's top woman lost 6-4, 7-6 to the 114th ranked player in the world, qualifier Kristyna and not her twin sister Karolina, ranked 12 in the world




Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 19, 2016, 07:38:09 pm
Turn it up fellas, she's choked in the first round at her home Open now 4 times. She, like any other sport person, is open to criticism, despite past achievements, when you put up performances like that.

Not the criticism, it's the enjoyment that they get from it.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Gointocarlton on January 19, 2016, 08:37:03 pm
Not the criticism, it's the enjoyment that they get from it.
Dunno that its enjoyment but it might be. I get angry (more for her) watching her dish that up at the oz open every year, she's is bloody better than that. With all the talk of match fixing in tennis, it makes you wonder.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: dodge on January 20, 2016, 09:49:24 pm
I get the feeling that Stosur is an athlete who happens to play tennis.  She loses far too many matches that she shouldn't for a tennis player who is a great athlete as well.  There are too many times where she doesn't look comfortable on the court.

I think that she is great in fronting up to the media and being reasonably honest after some of the horrible losses, unlike spoiled brats eg Venus
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 21, 2016, 05:28:55 am
Dunno that its enjoyment but it might be. I get angry (more for her) watching her dish that up at the oz open every year, she's is bloody better than that. With all the talk of match fixing in tennis, it makes you wonder.

Give it a rest mate, she is not a match fixer and Sheik and Age love to come on here and gloat every time she loses.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 21, 2016, 07:53:46 am
I get the feeling that Stosur is an athlete who happens to play tennis.  She loses far too many matches that she shouldn't for a tennis player who is a great athlete as well.  There are too many times where she doesn't look comfortable on the court.

I think that she is great in fronting up to the media and being reasonably honest after some of the horrible losses, unlike spoiled brats eg Venus

i think she has been exceedingly badly coached for a long time now.....ruined her.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 21, 2016, 11:06:53 am
Stosur's issues are a matter of focus.

Not coaching, not ability.

She gets nervous and gets the yips, her composure leaves her and she makes errors.

I think she suffers from the condition of being human particularly when you see her talk to the media because she is a level headed type who doesnt overate her ability.  Some of these types suffer from a lack of self confidence, and in a sport like Tennis, you need that arrogance to really get on with it.

Its probably why she chokes at home so frequently.  The occasion gets the better of her, and its the sort of thing that becomes really habitual.  Drop your bundle when the pressure is on.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Wet Willie on January 21, 2016, 11:33:26 am
If she chokes here frequently - maybe it's not "focus"...??
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 21, 2016, 11:38:20 am
She's no longer a top player so I wouldn't call it choking anymore.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 21, 2016, 01:19:48 pm
She's no longer a top player so I wouldn't call it choking anymore.

A choke is a choke, whether you're #1 or #1000.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 21, 2016, 01:45:26 pm
A choke is a choke, whether you're #1 or #1000.

She was never in a position to win, how did she choke?
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 21, 2016, 01:57:34 pm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-19/no-excuses-from-samantha-stosur-after-first-round-exit/7097196

Quote

Stosur did not talk about being nervous after losing 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to Pliskova at Melbourne Park.

But Pliskova was happy to highlight the jitters of the top-ranked local hope in the women's draw, who continued her miserable record at the Australian Open.

"She was nervous, definitely," Pliskova said after her Rod Laver Arena rollick.

"I don't think she's in the best form right now. It's first time for her at home [in grand slam tournaments in 2016]. Big court.

"She was a little nervous and it's always tough to play someone who looks like they're injured.

"I think it was tough for her."

Pliskova hurt her hamstring in the match but Stosur was unable to capitalise on the world number 114's setback.

Stosur was seeded 25th and fully expected to account for Pliskova, who has played second fiddle to twin sister and world number 12 Karolina throughout her time on the WTA circuit.


Stosur's struggles at Melbourne Park
First round exit: 2016, 2012, 2005, 2002
Second round exit: 2015, 2013, 2007, 2004
Third round exit: 2014, 2011, 2009, 2003
Fourth round exit: 2010, 2006.

This has become a real problem for her.  Its all a matter of confidence imho.

Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 21, 2016, 02:38:20 pm
or she just isn't that good. It's not like she's dominating everywhere else.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on January 21, 2016, 10:36:02 pm
or she just isn't that good. It's not like she's dominating everywhere else.

Big Popeye arms, big serve and forehand but not much else.....
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Wet Willie on January 22, 2016, 09:31:56 am
Stosur's struggles at Melbourne Park
First round exit: 2016, 2012, 2005, 2002
Second round exit: 2015, 2013, 2007, 2004
Third round exit: 2014, 2011, 2009, 2003
Fourth round exit: 2010, 2006.

This has become a real problem for her.  Its all a matter of confidence imho.

So, playing tennis at Grand Slam level for 14 out of 15 years, whilst picking up a US Open title along the way and reaching #4 IN THE WORLD is not enough?? 

She now has "real problems" and lacks confidence...

You can't win every match you play and sometimes you prefer different surfaces.  Sometimes you are injured, sometimes you find the Australian support from the media and the suburbs a bit over the top.

She is a great girl who is a total professional in this sport.  She don't walk out on court just to give you a bad day...
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 22, 2016, 10:02:48 am
So, playing tennis at Grand Slam level for 14 out of 15 years, whilst picking up a US Open title along the way and reaching #4 IN THE WORLD is not enough?? 

She now has "real problems" and lacks confidence...

You can't win every match you play and sometimes you prefer different surfaces.  Sometimes you are injured, sometimes you find the Australian support from the media and the suburbs a bit over the top.

She is a great girl who is a total professional in this sport.  She don't walk out on court just to give you a bad day...

I just quoted the article, and highlighted that she seems to have a Travis Cloke kicking for goal like approach to the Australian Open.

She is a great girl and a total proffesional, who seems to have real difficulty at the Aussie open and for me it appears to be above the shoulders rather than in her ability to play because she has shown us better than what she consistently gives us at the Aussie open.

Maybe its her preparation, maybe its her coaching, maybe its simply the way she returns to competition and doesnt quite get the cobwebs out of the way until the main event and doesnt perform accordingly, but the reality is that she is better than what she gives us at the Aussie open, and I don't see why you have taken such exception to the post, when odds are Sam would herself tell you that the arguments have merit if she were to review these comments.

Odds are she knows fully well about it, else she wouldnt have played so nervously too.

Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 22, 2016, 11:22:29 am
The problem with a lot of articles and 90% of Australian "tennis fans" is they only watch tennis in January.

Stosur was a solid contender who broke into the top 10 in her prime and won a slam, now her career is coming to the end.

Stosur didn't have the same success in Australia but neither did Lleyton and I don't see anyone calling him a choker.

Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 22, 2016, 11:41:02 am
That might be because generally, Lleyton won the matches he was expected to and won matches he wasnt expected to and generally played to expectations.

Stosur on the hand has not, and once again, the expectation was that she would win this match and she didn't.

Yep it could be explained this year by her career being in the twilight, and her really dropping off, as happens to all players eventually, but this is not different for her which is what raises people's eybrows.

Perhaps choke is too strong a word, but largely, she loses games people don't expect her to.  Define it however you like, but thats just the way some people see it.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 22, 2016, 11:43:03 am
The problem with a lot of articles and 90% of Australian "tennis fans" is they only watch tennis in January.

Stosur was a solid contender who broke into the top 10 in her prime and won a slam, now her career is coming to the end.

Stosur didn't have the same success in Australia but neither did Lleyton and I don't see anyone calling him a choker.

Sam, who has had a successful career by anyone's standards, has always been a choker (unfortunately for her)  as far as I can recall - and i follow the circuit year round and have done since before she was a pro.....

Rusty never had that issue.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PassIt2Carrots on January 22, 2016, 01:55:52 pm
That might be because generally, Lleyton won the matches he was expected to and won matches he wasnt expected to and generally played to expectations.

Stosur on the hand has not, and once again, the expectation was that she would win this match and she didn't.

Yep it could be explained this year by her career being in the twilight, and her really dropping off, as happens to all players eventually, but this is not different for her which is what raises people's eybrows.

Perhaps choke is too strong a word, but largely, she loses games people don't expect her to.  Define it however you like, but thats just the way some people see it.

Leyton was exactly the same until we all realised he was no longer any good.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Blue Moon on January 22, 2016, 05:33:06 pm
Can I suggest that Sam Stosur has won more Grand Slams than everyone who comments on this site.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 23, 2016, 12:02:30 pm
Can I suggest that Sam Stosur has won more Grand Slams than everyone who comments on this site.

You are probably right, but not by much  ;)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 23, 2016, 12:33:33 pm
If we applied the "Stosur has done more in tennis than anyone on here" argument to the CFC, a site like this would not even exist. Any one of the more maligned CFC players has played more senior games than any of us ever will.

The disappointment with Stosur is that she is perceived as an underachiever, someone who has potential for far better results than what she is actually achieving - whether this is true, or whether she is in fact an average player who had some good form or good luck etc. a few years back, I guess only time will tell.  
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Wet Willie on January 23, 2016, 01:15:33 pm
So, is she suited to Australian court surfaces...or is that just part of being average with "issues"??

Why do the French prefer clay courts - just to annoy us??!!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: PaulP on January 23, 2016, 01:38:36 pm
Her best win loss records in Grand Slam singles are at the French and US Open.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: townsendcalling on January 24, 2016, 08:58:32 pm
Not sure we'll be worrying about Sam Stosur for too much long. A new star is about to shine!! Carlton's own Dasha Gavrilova!!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 15, 2019, 07:29:45 pm
Here you go Sheik.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: crashlander on January 18, 2019, 08:50:30 pm
If we applied the "Stosur has done more in tennis than anyone on here" argument to the CFC, a site like this would not even exist. Any one of the more maligned CFC players has played more senior games than any of us ever will.

The disappointment with Stosur is that she is perceived as an underachiever, someone who has potential for far better results than what she is actually achieving - whether this is true, or whether she is in fact an average player who had some good form or good luck etc. a few years back, I guess only time will tell.
For what it is worth, Stosur seems to be on a distinct decline. She isn't young for tennis, although some, like the Williams sisters, have shown that a good enough tennis player an go if the hunger is there and the fitness is there. I'd say that Stosur is showing signs of neither of those things being true.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on January 18, 2019, 11:05:54 pm
Here you go Sheik.

Sheik in straight sets over Sammy Stosur.....
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 19, 2019, 12:15:11 pm
For what it is worth, Stosur seems to be on a distinct decline. She isn't young for tennis, although some, like the Williams sisters, have shown that a good enough tennis player an go if the hunger is there and the fitness is there. I'd say that Stosur is showing signs of neither of those things being true.

Yes, I’d say her playing career isn’t a long term proposition at this stage.  Of course, I’d rather watch Sam than Tomic or Kyrgios. In fact, I’d find something else to watch if either of those two was playing ????
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: crashlander on January 20, 2019, 10:18:28 am
Yes, I’d say her playing career isn’t a long term proposition at this stage.  Of course, I’d rather watch Sam than Tomic or Kyrgios. In fact, I’d find something else to watch if either of those two was playing ????
I can understand how you feel. Those two have so much talent, but not have the mindsets to go on to greatness. They would fail our recruiting process, if they were footballers, that is for certain.
It is a pity, but that is the way it is.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 20, 2019, 07:56:29 pm
I like watching Kyrgios play, I'm sure more Aussies would support him if his name was Clarke.

Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LP on January 20, 2019, 08:03:04 pm
I like watching Kyrgios play, I'm sure more Aussies would support him if his name was Clarke.

Nah, we call Hewitt a wanker and he won US Opens while being only half the pork chop Kyrgios is!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Lods on January 20, 2019, 08:22:11 pm
I'm not a big tennis follower but I reckon it has nothing to do with ethnic background.

It's how you present yourself.

Rod Laver was on one of the today shows through the week,
Champion player, champion bloke.




Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 21, 2019, 09:10:05 am
I like watching Kyrgios play, I'm sure more Aussies would support him if his name was Clarke.

I reckon that it has nothing to do with his name (or ethnicity).  It is his personality, public comments, behaviour, occasional lack of effort and waste of talent that turns me off and I suspect that applies to many tennis fans, not just Aussies.

Ash Barty enjoys great support because she always has a crack and conducts herself with dignity and good humour.  Her Indigenous heritage is not a factor.

Alex de Minaur lacks Kyrgios's talent but also enjoys great support because he gives 100%.

However, I would support Kyrgios if his name was "Clark", but not "Clarke"; the E is an important factor  ;)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 21, 2019, 02:31:43 pm
Kyrgios gets a pass for behaving like an idiot on court as he does a lot of work with charity off the court.

https://nkfoundation.com.au/

https://www.playersvoice.com.au/nick-kyrgios-ive-found-my-purpose/#76DAQfJqdLSkWhPH.97

Quote
For the first time, I feel like there is a reason for me to be doing what I’m doing. Tennis is a great life – we’re well paid and the perks are pretty good – but it can feel empty if you’re just doing it for the money.

 

I know what it’s all for now. You’ve probably heard me say a few times over the years that I don’t want tennis badly enough. But when I’m working on the NK Foundation and our Melbourne facility, I cast my mind forward to all the disadvantaged kids I’ll be helping. I’m playing for them now.

 

For the first time, I feel like there is a reason for me to be doing what I’m doing. Tennis is a great life – we’re well paid and the perks are pretty good – but it can feel empty if you’re just doing it for the money.

 

I love kids. I get more happiness from helping kids out and watching them succeed than I do from my own wins on the tennis tour. It’s always been that way.

 

I remember Piotr with happiness and sadness. He was a little guy with terminal brain cancer. The We The People organisation put us in touch.

 

I had a hit-up with Piotr instead of a practice session before my match at the Australian Open this year.

 

Piotr said it was one of the best days of his life but, honestly, I’m not sure which of us had the better day! It was awesome.

 

Piotr passed away a few months later. I will never forget him.

Read more at https://www.playersvoice.com.au/nick-kyrgios-ive-found-my-purpose/#m0PLQVVYfK4fk5Mf.99


These guys can be whatever you want them to be if you want to see them that way.  Not many are as worried about helping others, and it says more about their character than anything they do playing sport.

He could be so much more if he was more dedicated to his profession, but sometimes you have to just admire someone for simply not taking life too seriously and leaving a legacy that is much bigger than themselves.



Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Gointocarlton on January 21, 2019, 08:04:24 pm
I reckon that it has nothing to do with his name (or ethnicity).  It is his personality, public comments, behaviour, occasional lack of effort and waste of talent that turns me off and I suspect that applies to many tennis fans, not just Aussies.


I reckon it has a hell of a lot to do with it TBH. Don't you find it a little odd that the media go after those who's names happen to be Kyrgios, Kokkinakis and Tomic? I for one certainly think its "odd" as opposed to coincidence. Tomic has issues, lets just say he doesnt come across as the sharpest tool in the shed. He says inappropriate things at inappropriate times, isn't managed or mentored properly and his actions and words sell papers. NK just gets pounded no matter what he does, he reacts  and it sells papers. TK doesnt say much but gets injured alot so they right negative stuff about him...to sell papers. The media have now created this group of three outcasts all tarred with same brush. It sells papers.
Lets face it, Hewitt was a DH when he was young. But he tried his guts out so he was given a "leave pass".
Good lord I'm sounding like LP ;)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 21, 2019, 08:18:20 pm
I reckon it has a hell of a lot to do with it TBH. Don't you find it a little odd that the media go after those who's names happen to be Kyrgios, Kokkinakis and Tomic? I for one certainly think its "odd" as opposed to coincidence. Tomic has issues, lets just say he doesnt come across as the sharpest tool in the shed. He says inappropriate things at inappropriate times, isn't managed or mentored properly and his actions and words sell papers. NK just gets pounded no matter what he does, he reacts  and it sells papers. TK doesnt say much but gets injured alot so they right negative stuff about him...to sell papers. The media have now created this group of three outcasts all tarred with same brush. It sells papers.
Lets face it, Hewitt was a DH when he was young. But he tried his guts out so he was given a "leave pass".
Good lord I'm sounding like LP ;)

I really don't think so G2C, particularly with the way the supporters get behind de Minaur and I reckon Kokkinakis has a fair bit of support (not to mention the almost rabid Aussie support for Bagdatis in days gone by). I agree that Hewitt was a pain in the ask for much of his career but his redeeming feature was that he kept trying to be his best and actually enjoyed more success than his ability and body should have achieved.
 
Tomic and Kyrgios got a good run when they were younger but they have become flogs, particularly the former.  Of course, they haven't got to that point entirely on their own.

I'd like to see both of them pursue another career for 12 months, then decide if tennis really is their preferred career.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Gointocarlton on January 21, 2019, 08:47:08 pm
I really don't think so G2C, particularly with the way the supporters get behind de Minaur and I reckon Kokkinakis has a fair bit of support (not to mention the almost rabid Aussie support for Bagdatis in days gone by). I agree that Hewitt was a pain in the ask for much of his career but his redeeming feature was that he kept trying to be his best and actually enjoyed more success than his ability and body should have achieved.
 
Tomic and Kyrgios got a good run when they were younger but they have become flogs, particularly the former.  Of course, they haven't got to that point entirely on their own.

I'd like to see both of them pursue another career for 12 months, then decide if tennis really is their preferred career.
Tomic is fortunate he can hit a tennis ball, don't know that he could manage much more than a labouring job.
I don't think NK is a flog at all. He is just a different beast he does things his way. He is comfortable in his own skin, perhaps people need to ignore the media and just accept him the way he is. Tennis isnt the end all be all for him, get over it.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 21, 2019, 09:33:42 pm
Tomic is fortunate he can hit a tennis ball, don't know that he could manage much more than a labouring job.
I don't think NK is a flog at all. He is just a different beast he does things his way. He is comfortable in his own skin, perhaps people need to ignore the media and just accept him the way he is. Tennis isnt the end all be all for him, get over it.

I don't think Kyrgios is comfortable in his own skin G2C.  In fact, I'm not sure that he knows where his skin is at  :-\

There are times when his tennis is sublime and his behaviour impeccable ... then there are times when he appears not to give a fat rat's clacker and his behaviour is appalling, eg the "Kokkinakos banged your girlfriend" comment and his over the top reaction to perfectly reasonable and measured comments from Healy and Rasheed - and the latter has forgotten more about elite tennis than Kyrgios has yet to master.

Off on a tangent here but my son recently had a session with Nathan Burke in which the latter spoke about a meeting with Tennis Australia's elite program.  Burke took them to task, pointing out that, with the exception of Ash Barty, Australia doesn't have any tennis players.

I'm not sure who is at fault - Tomic and Kyrgios have to accept some of the blame - but family, friends, coaches, mentors and Tennis Australia are complicit.

I can't help but imagine Kyrgios at my age and thinking, "Well, I stuffed that up!"
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Lods on January 21, 2019, 09:38:27 pm
Tomic is fortunate he can hit a tennis ball, don't know that he could manage much more than a labouring job.
I don't think NK is a flog at all. He is just a different beast he does things his way. He is comfortable in his own skin, perhaps people need to ignore the media and just accept him the way he is. Tennis isnt the end all be all for him, get over it.

The problem is though, that the only reason he rates a mention is because he is good at his Tennis.

If he was just another hard worker for charity/good citizen he wouldn't have the profile he has

So how he behaves and what he says regarding Tennis is rightly or wrongly what he will mostly be judged on.

The other problem for these young guys is that we have group of players from past eras who set a standard of behaviour and professionalism that is probably a little difficult to live up to.

I suspect for most ethnicity doesn't enter into it.


Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LP on January 21, 2019, 10:11:09 pm
I can't help but imagine Kyrgios at my age and thinking, "Well, I stuffed that up!"

I expect that is correct, Tomic however will be blaming others until he's buried and perhaps even then on his headstone!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 22, 2019, 08:37:30 am
I suspect for most ethnicity doesn't enter into it.

I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard them referred to as un-Australian.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Lods on January 22, 2019, 09:19:42 am
I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard them referred to as un-Australian.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/rudd-hewitt-hicks-are-un-australian/news-story/93d94721b94be7b9f809eae70dd555e7

"PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has been voted the Un-Australian of the Year 2008, for acting as a perfect gentleman in a New York strip club....
Also making the Zoo Weekly list were Lleyton Hewitt for whingeing, captain of the stranded oil tanker the Pasha Bulker, and Shane Warne for bagging his former team mates.
The Sydney Cricket Ground was also named for serving only mid-strength beer."

On a serious note.

We had a bit of a golden age of sport through the 50's and 60s.
Standards of behaviour were set that subsequent generations of players found it difficult to emulate.
Maybe they weren't as 'golden haired' as we thought but the media coverage was way more limited back then.

It's why we found the on-court behaviour of US players like McEnroe and Connors a bit distasteful although we admired their Tennis skills.
We didn't like it when some of our own, like Hewitt, went down a similar path.



Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 22, 2019, 09:25:16 am
Seriously Lods there is no comparison.

Dawn Fraser said if Bernard and Nick don't like it here they should go back to where they came from.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 22, 2019, 09:28:38 am
Seriously Lods there is no comparison.

Dawn Fraser said if Bernard and Nick don't like it here they should go back to where they came from.

Ive heard that one before too, and they don't mean Box Hill where I was born.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Lods on January 22, 2019, 09:47:11 am
Dawn's a bit of a dinosaur....but you're right, no doubt there is some elements of a racist tone in the back of some folks minds.
Quite rightly we defend our own....I'm of Irish decent so my task is even harder ;D

But we have to separate the behaviour from the ethnicity.
Poor behaviour and arrogance should be judged regardless of race, colour, religion etc.
That's what most folk would be making judgements on....not their surnames.





Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 22, 2019, 03:51:52 pm
Kyrgios gets a pass for behaving like an idiot on court as he does a lot of work with charity off the court.

https://nkfoundation.com.au/

https://www.playersvoice.com.au/nick-kyrgios-ive-found-my-purpose/#76DAQfJqdLSkWhPH.97


These guys can be whatever you want them to be if you want to see them that way.  Not many are as worried about helping others, and it says more about their character than anything they do playing sport.

He could be so much more if he was more dedicated to his profession, but sometimes you have to just admire someone for simply not taking life too seriously and leaving a legacy that is much bigger than themselves.

Yet a page later this is ignored, and the focus is how he behaves on court.

When was his last blow up again??
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 22, 2019, 04:57:41 pm
Yet a page later this is ignored, and the focus is how he behaves on court.

When was his last blow up again??

It wasn't on court but he reacted very poorly to some valid, constructive criticism just a couple of days ago.

It's good that he does charity work and I would hope that all folk in his situation do the same.  However, doing charity work does not entitle one to behave like a tool. 

Perhaps it's the nature of the sport but tennis seems to have more than its share of tools ... as well as some very humble and generous elite athletes.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 22, 2019, 07:17:38 pm
Big Sammy storms into the doubles' semis....
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 22, 2019, 07:25:14 pm
Big Sammy storms into the doubles' semis....

 ;D
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on January 23, 2019, 09:47:23 am
It wasn't on court but he reacted very poorly to some valid, constructive criticism just a couple of days ago.

It's good that he does charity work and I would hope that all folk in his situation do the same.  However, doing charity work does not entitle one to behave like a tool. 

Perhaps it's the nature of the sport but tennis seems to have more than its share of tools ... as well as some very humble and generous elite athletes.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/tennis/news/australian-open-nick-kyrgios-roger-rasheed-tweet/1hzi2xgc4h71s16yuaf5w1zicm

Raonic has smashed better players than Kyrgios at this very tournament, and whilst he has things he can improve on, he didnt exactly do a Zverev (who was seeded unlike Kyrgios).

Yep, his preparation wasn't as good as it could have been, and Kyrgios may admit that himself if he were asked, but then we have some anecdotal criticism comparing him to other players on the circuit, rather than comparing himself, to himself.  The measure of a human being isnt how they go compared to others, but rather how willing they are to improve themselves.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/tennis/news/nick-kyrgios-tennis-australian-open-mental-health/9bo1ufo39vxb1hhmembmow3rb

He's set his sights on reaching the top 10 at the end of next year after admitting he battled with some mental health demons.

Probably time for the Aussie media and public to ease up on Kyrgios as his opponent who beat him convincingly but not easily (dropping two service games, and a tie break to lose in straight sets is not uncompetitive) and give him a pass for the rest of this year.

The flogs usually don't care too much about helping others and charities.  Some of them are very egotistical and I think Kyrgios is simply an immature young man who has had some growing up to do.

They can't all be mature youngsters, and they will blow up from time to time because even the pro's have had their moments. 
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LP on January 23, 2019, 10:29:00 am
My interest in tennis wained with every growing grunt, take Sharapova while under the pump almost making a parody of herself by effectively screaming at Barty!

All I see now are cheats and spoilt brats, so I no longer chose to tune in, they are almost worse than the serial divers in soccer!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 23, 2019, 05:15:10 pm
Serena loses from 5-1 down in the third set. And blows 4 match points.

Love it.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: shawny on January 23, 2019, 05:45:53 pm
Serena loses from 5-1 down in the third set. And blows 4 match points.

Love it.

x2. Cant stand her!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: capcom on January 23, 2019, 06:49:07 pm
Hope Mark Knight rips into her and Oracene doesn't grace our shores again.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: flyboy77 on January 25, 2019, 06:52:42 pm
Our big Sammy wins the doubles 3 and 4 - beating a very good team indeed!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: madbluboy on January 26, 2019, 09:33:50 pm
Osaka doing a Sam Stosur.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: townsendcalling on January 27, 2019, 12:02:15 am
Osaka doing a Sam Stosur.

No quite, Osaka has won the US AND Australian Open, Sammy only won the US!! ;)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Baggers on January 27, 2019, 09:24:15 am
Couldn't believe how embarrassing Tony Jones was with some of the dumbest questions you could imagine to Osaka. Fortunately Sam and Jim were there to rescue the situation. I am at a complete loss to understand why Jones gets any gig in front of a microphone. As my grandfather would say, '...a cabbagehead.'
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: townsendcalling on January 27, 2019, 12:05:19 pm
Couldn't believe how embarrassing Tony Jones was with some of the dumbest questions you could imagine to Osaka. Fortunately Sam and Jim were there to rescue the situation. I am at a complete loss to understand why Jones gets any gig in front of a microphone. As my grandfather would say, '...a cabbagehead.'

Should stick to ‘auto cue only’ work, where someone else writes his crap.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: crashlander on January 27, 2019, 12:31:36 pm
Our big Sammy wins the doubles 3 and 4 - beating a very good team indeed!
I;m afraid the Sheik took a big one there. Sam Stosur really showed some gutsy play. had she played like that in the singles, she would not have lost.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: laj on January 27, 2019, 12:43:09 pm
I really don't think so G2C, particularly with the way the supporters get behind de Minaur and I reckon Kokkinakis has a fair bit of support (not to mention the almost rabid Aussie support for Bagdatis in days gone by). I agree that Hewitt was a pain in the ask for much of his career but his redeeming feature was that he kept trying to be his best and actually enjoyed more success than his ability and body should have achieved.
 
Tomic and Kyrgios got a good run when they were younger but they have become flogs, particularly the former.  Of course, they haven't got to that point entirely on their own.

I'd like to see both of them pursue another career for 12 months, then decide if tennis really is their preferred career.

No chance they will pursue another career for 12 months. Don't think either have ambitions to get to the top. They are just there to play for as long as they can to make as much money as they can. That's the only reason they play and their definition of success with themselves. What other job is going to pay that much? Tomic i'm not so sure about but Krygios is only a 'flog" on court. Off court he much like by his peers, has a huge amount of time for kids as well as having his own charities. Both seem to have invested their money well.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 27, 2019, 03:33:57 pm
No chance they will pursue another career for 12 months. Don't think either have ambitions to get to the top. They are just there to play for as long as they can to make as much money as they can. That's the only reason they play and their definition of success with themselves. What other job is going to pay that much? Tomic i'm not so sure about but Krygios is only a 'flog" on court. Off court he much like by his peers, has a huge amount of time for kids as well as having his own charities. Both seem to have invested their money well.

I guess if you include post-match press conferences and social media as “on court”  ;)
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Baggers on January 27, 2019, 05:12:01 pm
Should stick to ‘auto cue only’ work, where someone else writes his crap.

Thought the same thing. Mrs Baggers turned to me as we were watching the media panel talking with Osaka and asked, "Who's he?"

"Tony Jones, one of the AFL media people at 9."

"He's really shallow, thank goodness Jim and Sam are there to rescue things." About sums it up.

Good to see our own Darcy V. have a crack at the boofhead.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: laj on January 27, 2019, 07:14:15 pm
I guess if you include post-match press conferences and social media as “on court”  ;)
That's usually to put a few other flogs in their place. Ok not to put up with $hit. We know he's well liked off the court.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: DJC on January 27, 2019, 08:58:51 pm
That's usually to put a few other flogs in their place. Ok not to put up with $hit. We know he's well liked off the court.

No, it’s a constant stream of vitriol and reminds me a bit of Mick Malthouse’s pressers.  Kyrgios would do well to watch how Ash Barty conducts herself - on and off the court.

He’s not universally well liked off court, ask Stan Wawrinka!

Federer likes him though:

Quote
“We need him to play first before commentating, for the next 10 years,” said Federer. “He's always good for a headline.

“Look, I like Nick. I like the way he plays and all that. Yeah, I was happy to hear that he was in the commentary booth. He's got a bit of time, sticks around, shows he's passionate about the game. That's what we need to see. But we wish he was on the court rather than a commentary booth.”
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: laj on January 28, 2019, 03:32:44 pm
No, it’s a constant stream of vitriol and reminds me a bit of Mick Malthouse’s pressers.  Kyrgios would do well to watch how Ash Barty conducts herself - on and off the court.

He’s not universally well liked off court, ask Stan Wawrinka!

Federer likes him though:

Stan Wawrinka was along time ago now and they've since sorted that. His peers do certainly like him. Tennis itself doesn't help him though. Enjoy a good dummy spit though. McEnroe was always worth a look...lol.

Off court the rest is putting other flogs in their place, ie pressers, although not always, and social media.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Mantis on January 28, 2019, 05:06:52 pm
Fed was no angel in his early tennis career. Google some of his behaviour in the past. It may surprise a few. How to change a person solely depends on what they really want to be. Influence from others only goes so far. Hence why some athletes become elite and others only ever have potential.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LP on January 28, 2019, 05:12:57 pm
Fed was no angel in his early tennis career. Google some of his behaviour in the past. It may surprise a few. How to change a person solely depends on what they really want to be. Influence from others only goes so far. Hence why some athletes become elite and others only ever have potential.

This is very true and one of the few things in Kyrgios' favour.

Tomic on the other hand is a waste of space.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: ElwoodBlues1 on February 12, 2021, 03:50:32 pm
Stosur vs the Sheik 2021 ......game set and match to the Sheik...
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/australian-open-2021-sam-stosur-brutal-exit-possible-farewell-223828885.html
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LP on February 12, 2021, 04:26:23 pm
Yes I'm confused by Stosur, always have been.

A huge wasted talent or just a very hard worker who was lucky to be there, it's a coin toss!

But when she was there I barracked for her, I'm sure I cannot say the same about Tomic!

Tomic is like the embarrassing uncle that nobody wants at the party, but everybody feels compelled to invite, and he never declines!

Stosur is like the Aunt who has ben trying and failing to win the CWA Baking Contest for 30 years, there is always a reason, the eggs weren't fresh, the lemons didn't ripen, the water was too hard, nobody has the heart to tell her she can't cook!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: tonyo on February 12, 2021, 04:36:56 pm


Stosur is like the Aunt who has ben trying and failing to win the CWA Baking Contest for 30 years, there is always a reason, the eggs weren't fresh, the lemons didn't ripen, the water was too hard, nobody has the heart to tell her she can't cook!

Still managed to win a US Open against Serena and a hostile crowd.  That's at least one decent cake.....
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: dodge on February 12, 2021, 05:02:07 pm
I'm not sure that she is a 'natural' tennis player.  She seems to lack instinct and when it doesn't go right, it goes horribly wrong, and she can't arrest it.

I like Stosur and will always wish her the best.

What I don't understand is patriotism at the tennis.  Tennis is an individual sport and not played 'for the country'.  I couldn't give a stuff where a player comes from - if I like them, I'll support them.  If I don't, I won't.

I really like watching Kyrgios play, tantrums and all, because he plays ridiculously good tennis when he is on.  A bit like Maxwell for cricket, Fev in footy - great when they're going, embarrassing when they are not.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: LP on February 12, 2021, 05:06:51 pm
I really like watching Kyrgios play, tantrums and all, because he plays ridiculously good tennis when he is on.  A bit like Maxwell for cricket, Fev in footy - great when they're going, embarrassing when they are not.
Yep, this pretty much sums up my feelings about the same, some of the villains play the best games when they are "on"!

What I hate is Tomic telling us how good he is, how he doesn't give a stuff, and why it doesn't matter and how he doesn't need the money, 5 minutes after he's had his coat, hat and his battered and bruised ar5e handed back to him by a $1 scrub!
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: Thryleon on February 12, 2021, 06:03:10 pm
You guys are over analysing.  Shes a clay courter.  She has a strong stroke, but not great technique.  She can generate force and power off slow balls which makes her a success on clay, and it nullifies her opponents ability to hit the ball better than her.

Add some top and back spin on things, on a hard court where her opposition can generate pace, and thats all she wrote.

Meanwhile, she is also a bit fragile mentally for it.  Confidence is 3/4 of this.  She knows shes technically deficient on hard courts and responds accordingly.  End result, out in straight sets at the Aussie open every year.
Title: Re: Stosur vs Sheik 2015
Post by: townsendcalling on February 13, 2021, 01:11:38 am
Stosur
Singles Record
1 Grand Slam Title
1 Runners Up
3 Semi Finals

Doubles Record
3 Grand Slam Titles
5 Runners Up
7 Semi Finals

A player who had deficiencies but got the most out of her ability.
Plenty would be jealous of that record...........and her $30,000,000 in prize money!!!