The USTA decided to let the fans back in for the 2021 US Open and it was a great event. Really the best that SU can ever recall. The women’s final featured an 18- and 19-year old, and the winner was actually a qualifier who had to win an extra 3 matches to just get into the tournament. That never happens in major championship tennis. SU’s thoughts:
- Women’s tennis thrived without the presence of Serena Williams who in SU’s view sucks up all the oxygen in the room. “Is she healthy? What is she thinking? How is she moving? ” She’s coming up on 40 now and the reality is that it’s hard to see her staying healthy for 7 rounds to win another major. The women’s game has a lot of great young talent and the game will survive.
- SU is a big Djokovic fan and he struggled through what was a tough draw. Brooksby, the 20-year old American with the unusual game, Berritini in the quarters who is a top 10 player, Zverev in the semis who is the hottest player in 2021 and then Medvedev in the finals. I thought yesterday, the fact that he had spent 50% more time on the court this tournament than Medvedev totally showed almost right from the beginning of the match. Medvedev decided he would not miss in rallies, and looked to put as little pace on his shots as possible early in the rallies. He kept the ball deep and dared Djokovic to be the aggressor. But he moves very well and the only way Djokovic was going to win was to endure 20 – 30 shot rallies one after the another. To SU, he clearly did not have the energy for that and you could tell by the number of times that he played serve and volley on his serve. He almost never does that but he was just looking to shorten points as much as possible – especially with Medvedev receiving from the back wall of the court.
- I don’t know if you caught it, but in the last changeover of the match, when the fans were chanting Djokovic’s name, he started crying in his chair and covered his face with a towel. That’s because this is a guy who never, ever really has the crowd behind him. He plays in the era of Federer and Nadal, and fans have always viewed him as the interloper and the bad guy. This is especially the case in New York where fans cheer his service faults. SU thought his reaction was very revealing as he clearly values the crowd’s support and has always wanted it. Well, he finally had it in the finals but in a losing effort. He seemed genuinely moved in his post-match comments.
- Djokovic had a great run and managed his way through the pressure of what he was striving for with the Grand Slam until the finals. Credit to him. I also think he will start to enjoy more crowd support now as he enters the final years of his career and will be having tougher matches against the next Gen players.
Meanwhile, the Yankees and Mets played a couple of compelling games these last two days albeit in 4-hour increments. Both teams are flawed and will most likely not make the playoffs. But it was refreshing to see the fireworks last night with Lindor and Stanton and the benches clearing. Finally, some emotion from the Yankees. SU can no longer blame Boone. You have starters who only go 3+ innings start after start, and your bullpen is down Britten and Loaisiga now. Chapman is unreliable and Chad Green has amazingly given up 13 home runs this year – for a relief pitcher! Each one is more crushing than the one before. The Mets are only 3 games out of the wild card but so many teams are in front of them. The Yankees are now out of the wild card and while their schedule is favorable, it’s hard to see them getting their act together to make it.
SU must give props to Stanton who along with Judge are carrying the team. Did you hear A-Rod kill Joey Gallo last night time after time? Basically said that there was never a reason to pitch to Stanton with Gallo next in the line up. Of course, he is right and it makes you wonder why the line up has Gallo hitting behind Stanton? Note to Boone children who we know make out the line up each game.
SU is done with Sanchez (can’t hit or field), Gleyber (can’t hit or field), and Odor (a strike out waiting to happen). Enough of the .200 hitters. How is this ever a winning formula? But I am happy to be proven wrong and see the team win 15 of 20 games with an easy schedule down the stretch.
Finally, the NFL season has arrived and SU bought the Red Zone Channel for the first time ever. Whoa. If you do fantasy football, that is a rush and a bit overwhelming. SU will definitely need to ease into this. But what an upgrade over watching either the Giants or Jets!!
Thoughts about the US Open or the Yankees? The floor is open.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
It’s one match and even though Medvedev was clearly the superior player in the finals I believe the next time they meet the outcome will be a lot closer. Besides the harder draw Jocavic had he finished his semi match 6-7 hours after Medvedev’s match. That’s point 1.
Having the enormous pressure on going for the Calendar year Grand Slam is Point 2…with all that added pressure. Like you said that the fans around the world did look at Jocavic as the “bad’ guy. Though he held his emotions inside all these years it obvious played a role as he did break down and cry. Including myself, i hope the fans will embrace him more. It can only help….anyone playing in any sport.
I do believe Jocavic was moving fine and his ground strokes were steady, but Medvedev moved around the court like “Layla.” He was on every drop shot and guessed more often than usual on where Jocavic was going to hit the ball. Medvedev’s foot work and his serve made the difference. Jocavic’s serve abandoned him or like you said maybe he was finally burnt out.
Medvedev’s telling everyone that Jocavic is the greatest player ever was a fine compliment. I take my hat off the him for saying that…. even if he is from an enemy country.
Do you think he’ll get a ticker tape parade in Red Square? I’m surprised he isn’t sponsored by Stoylichnaya.
As embarrassing a loss for the Giants yesterday it pales to how embarrassing the Yankees have been since their 13 game winning streak. Gallo must go. I’ll give a mulligan to Torrez. Sanchez and odor must go. We need an overhaul of our relief pitchers and we need to pick up at least a second ace.