Thoughts about Tennis Tradition...

[don_budge]

Does anyone remember when it was not polite for the crowd to cheer for an unforced error? Is it possible for a pro game to be played with the players calling their own lines?? The humble nod of respect for a good shot has been replaced by the philistine "fist pump".

The fist pumps are sickening. From Jannik Sinner's little lame fist swish...to Carlos Alcaraz beckoning and begging the crowd to acknowledge something that is part of his job. Real ham. Real hot dogs. Humility is no longer a word applicable to professional sports and tennis no exception. Particularly among the younger players. Djokovic will occasionally be demonstrative but he is many times doing it for effect. He plays the crowd like a real maestro. They are often hostile and he is a master of using this hostility to his advantage. An old ploy of Ille Nastase and John McEnroe. A bit more subtle in the Djokovic theater of acting.

[neilchok]

yeah I think what makes tennis unique is the sportsmanship. The fact that men and women play in the same venue at the same time. Men and women actually play in events together, and the matches are entertaining. And they have the boys and girls tournaments as well at the same venue. I feel tennis is at such a higher level of respect and spirit. I actually think that the X-games for skateboarding also shows that type of sportsmanship.

I think in my opinion other sports should try to become more like tennis. Tennis is a sport that players don't try to injure each other purposely. It is extremely athletically demanding, you have to be very talented as well. Some people say it is the hardest sport to play.

I think these new players are super insecure and trying to make them fit with other sports. I remember Nick making the comment I am trying to mix basketball with tennis. Why??? The NBA sucks now, and ratings are down, and the players don't even want to play. With tennis for the most part, you know most players are going to give a 100% even if it is an ATP250 or a GrandSlam. The NFL is a sport now about Taylor Swift and making money, and making sure certain teams make it to the playoffs.

To me what makes tennis fun is when you have a good tennis match between two players going at it. Tennis is fun for the sport, not the drama and free agency outside the sport.

[doctorhl]

Does anyone remember when it was not polite for the crowd to cheer for an unforced error? Is it possible for a pro game to be played with the players calling their own lines?? The humble nod of respect for a good shot has been replaced by the philistine "fist pump".

[don_budge]

The real impact on Humans by Artificial Intelligence. I made up a word...virtual morality. You've heard of virtual reality. Virtual morality occurs when "God is Dead" and the computer becomes the deity. It's happening. This is what all of this modern thinking is about...virtual morality. Rewriting human values and existence with the cold, clinical morality of a hard drive.

This is the reality on the ground...as they say. Just take a look around you. People walking around with their heads stuck in their phones. I took a train to Gothenburg recently and everyone on that train was hooked into a gizmo. Sometimes two. Me? None. I've been on this divorce myself from the new reality kick.

But tennis certainly does metaphor life. More and more every single traditional aspect of tennis has been erradicated from the game. Compared to the game in 1968...when the game coincidentally went "open" and I first picked up a racquet. Let's call it for what it is...a FUBAR. Fucked up beyond all recognition. Well...it has hit the bottom of the barrel. The number one player in the world is not only the most boring one dimensional player ever, he is also a convicted drug cheat.

More and more the game is referenced to in terms of digital means. Stats galore. Cyclops...or rather Hawk Eye. The entire shebang. It is what it is...the game is a progressive game in terms of modern political speak. A rather interpretation of progressive below. Censorship is in vogue. Even soft censorship. Old school announcers rolling over to the Modern game like the old one never existed. The occasional oblique reference. Yeah...give me McEnroe and Borg anytime. Like magicians compared to the new nonsense.

The modern game of tennis is the result of progressive intervention. You can see the same in society today. Tennis metaphoring life...again.

Virtual reality. Virtual morality. Where does it end?

"The Devils"...Fyodor Dostoyevsky 1871

"I have already hinted that all sorts of low-class individuals had made an appearance among us. In troubled times of uncertainty or transition all sorts of low individuals appear everywhere. I am not talking about the so-called "progressives", who are always in a greater hurry than everyone else (that is their chief concern) and whose aims, though mostly absurd, are more or less definite. No, I am speaking only of the rabble. This rabble, which you will find in any society, usually rises to the surface in every period of transition, and is not only without any aim, but also without an inkling of an idea, merely expressing with all its strength unrest and impatience.. And yet this rabble without realizing it itself, almost always finds itself under the command of the small crowd of "progressives", who act with a definite aim, and it is they who direct this scum where they like, provided they themselves are not composed of utter idiots, which, however happens, too." Fyodor Dostoyevsky…”The Devils”, Part III Chapter 1

[neilchok]

I agree with you on russia not getting to put their flag. I think Russia was a major contributor to the end of world war 2, and have influenced world culture in a very positive way. In my opinions leaders don't represent the people of a country always. As an American, we have done some very questionable things, including the war on Iraq. Not sure why this resulted in more outrage from the world community. I sent you a private message if you ever want to discuss the other issues.

[don_budge]

Interestingly...this thread is entitled "Thoughts about Tennis Tradition...". Note the three dots. Symbolizing a connecting bridge. Of thought. Of causal relationships between tradtion and what is modern. Now post modern. But since the birth of this thread nearly every single tennis tradition has been eliminated, banned, relegated to the dumpster...simply old news. A real shame. From the white clothes, wooden racquets, white balls to this. Well...you don't have to look very far to understand that tennis does indeed metaphor life. Tennis being God's gift to mankind in terms of recreation. Tennis and golf. Both steeped in a worldwide, earthly tradition. That is a philosophical thought as well as a political one. Lurking beneath the surface are thoughts regarding art and engineering. Yeah...thoughts about tennis tradition. Who would have ever thought?

[don_budge]

Agree with you biblically, maybe not though on the president part

You know neilchok...I've never been a big "agree or disagree" type of guy. I am more just put your best foot forwards and state your case as intelligently as you can. Eloquence is optional. You don't agree that Donald Trump is president or you don't like him? That's fine. Express yourself. Thanks very much Sir, by the way, for your reply.

I believe we could have a very lively and entertaining conversation. Just not here. This site censors and I don't believe that it is all that clear what is acceptable and what is not. It's a slippery slope once you go down the road of censorship. Of course it is a tennis website and tennis will be the main focus. But any discerning human being understands that politics, art, engineering, philosophy are all peripheral subjects seperated by mere degrees...from tennis. For example...Russian tennis players are not allowed to be represented by their flag at ATP events. That is a fact and that is political and tennis as well. Plus there is a very, very big story behind the entire fiasco. But it is not allowed to be discussed. Don't members have the option to read or not? This forum is in danger and it is currently fizzling compared to the discussions that were had here in the last fifteen years or so I have been a member of this website.

J. D. Vance...the current Vice President of the United States of America ruffled the feathers of the biggest peacocks in Europe the other day by stating the obvious...as follows:

He further urged European Union leaders to “embrace what your people tell you,” even when it is “surprising” and they do not agree.
READ MORE: Vance compares EU politicians to Soviet leaders
“If you’re running in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do for you, nor, for that matter, is there anything that you can do for the American people who elected me and elected President Trump,” Vance stated.

The old paradigm of censorship is collapsing. The truth will be very hard to swallow since it has been banned from the conversation for so long. Perhaps a lot of chaos will ensue.

As I predicted all along the tennis world is on life support ever since Roger left the stadium. It limped along with Novak but it appears that he is limping towards the exit now. What is left does not resemble to what I grew up to know as tennis. It is a controlled narrative.

Ironically...tennisplayer.net still has a foothold in the reality of the matter. Still connected to the "Classic Game" that once was the prevailing story.

[neilchok]

Agree with Madison Keyes winning! Awesome win, and do agree on her professionalism. If you ever get a chance check out freedom.to, awesome internet blocker. It links to all your devices, and adds a lock mode, which you can't get out of. Have to call vendor. You can setup different schedules throughout the day. I am about a million times more productive and significantly happier. Working harder, and have more energy. Took more vacations and have been going to the beach rather than going on a YouTube rabbit hole.

Had to block a lot of tennis websites, was watching too much

Agree with you biblically, maybe not though on the president part

[don_budge]

2025 Australian Open...ATP 2000...Melbourne, Australia

I'll keep this brief...so as to not disturb the regularly programmed forum narrative. I watched bits a pieces of a number of matches. Just abysmally boring. Let's not mince words. The one shining star of the tournament was courtesy of Novak Djokovic...who as I predicted is relevant until he is not. His take down of "Kid" Alcarez was just textbook. No muss...no fuss. The downside to this is that the most interesting player in the bloated draw remains to be the 37 year old mega champion. It wasn't Zverev that took Novak down...it is good old Father Time. He's catching up. But to the credit of Novak...his faith is keeping him in the game. His signal to heaven after every single match win is a give away. The man believes.

I watched bits and pieces of Madison Keyes in the final too. This is a wonderful story. For her to win her first Grand Slam title at this point in her career is a wonderful testimony to her and her supporting crew. I absolutely loved the fact that after she blistered yet another forehand winner on match point she collected herself and went directly to the net. She didn't drop prostrate on the court like every single drama queen including the men do nowadays. Give her a hug...a hearty congratulatory hug. Amazing!

Personally...I am hanging in there. Yesterday I did 350 pushups...7 sets of 70. Thirty then twenty after a brief rest and then twenty more after a set of 140 "flutters". Just trying to hang around. Stay in shape. On the mental health side of things, I stopped logging onto my computer five days before Christmas and once I made it that far I stopped completely. Now just minimal logins to do financial, incidental shopping and emails. Most done by phone. I have divorced reality...the new virtual morality. Do I feel better? It's a long, long story. Biblically speaking.

By the way...Donald Trump is the President of the United States. May God Bless America! Have you heard?

[don_budge]

"Thoughts about Tennis Tradition..." over 13,000 views. The conversation was not restricted to tennis. There was a poster who apparently objected to my writing about other things other than tennis but it seems that the post has since been deleted. Oh well...you can't please everybody.

I started this thread on May 20, 2011. I was fairly new to the forum and I wasn't greeted by exactly open arms either. I may have ruffled a few feathers. Afterall...tradition is a bad words nowadays. Even referring to trying to resurrect a certain country to a former status is taboo in many places. Not sure about the forum these days. I am very careful to not actually spell it out. I have two strikes you know. I'm walking on egg shells.

The tennis these days? Terribly boring. The forum these days? Well...there is the Big Three. The ATP Finals thread got 45 posts and all by the Big Three. Well, well...you can't please everyone. You can't point out the obvious either. Not with two strikes. I threw a soft ball at a poster. Then I was muzzled. Jannik Sinner is as boring as it gets. He tested positive twice for a banned substance...it was more or less swept under the rug. Christmas approaching on the radar screen. Even that tradition is slowly being eradicated. Tennis metaphoring life. What a great thread this was. Thirteen years..13,000 views. Three a day? That's quite a few. I haven't really written much the past couple of years. Ever since Roger left the stadium. It was a great run. Sort of nostalgic now.

I returned to the little tennis club in Skultorp, Sweden the other day. The guys were going to play a match and invited me to come and watch. It turned out that it was cancelled. The other team didn't show. So the four guys were practicing. They greeted me with a sort of an awestruck look. Almost exaggerated respect. I have come to expect that from them. Great kids. No longer kids though. Two of them have taken over much of the training hours at the club. I couldn't be prouder. Happy too. To think I did all that. Not in a shy way either.

It appears that one of the very top leading ladies in Women's tennis has been suspended for suspected drug infractions. Is there a double standard here? Let me tell you something...there is. There always is. It all depends on who you know or how much you have. It's largely political and therefore forbidden to discuss. So I won't. Not at all. Politics are expressly forbidden to discuss here on the. forum. Except they are related to tennis in this case. So it might not be forbidden. The discussion is so limited these days it is hard to tell if it is voluntary or something else. Sinner seems to have skated any penalty. Even though...oh well. This is how these things go. Innocent until proven guilty. Or hearsay, rumors and innuendo. Backstabbing. It's all in the game. Did you know that William Tilden II wrote a book called "It's All in the Game". I did. I have it on my shelf here in Sweden. Brought it from America. The land of the free and the brave. It's a decent book. Of interest to true tennis connoisseurs. Probably of little or no interest to modern day tennis aficionados. But a true student of the game would find it fascinating...as I do.

[don_budge]

"Thoughts about Tennis Tradition..." over 13,000 views. The conversation was not restricted to tennis. There was a poster who apparently objected to my writing about other things other than tennis but it seems that the post has since been deleted. Oh well...you can't please everybody.

I started this thread on May 20, 2011. I was fairly new to the forum and I wasn't greeted by exactly open arms either. I may have ruffled a few feathers. Afterall...tradition is a bad words nowadays. Even referring to trying to resurrect a certain country to a former status is taboo in many places. Not sure about the forum these days. I am very careful to not actually spell it out. I have two strikes you know. I'm walking on egg shells.

The tennis these days? Terribly boring. The forum these days? Well...there is the Big Three. The ATP Finals thread got 45 posts and all by the Big Three. Well, well...you can't please everyone. You can't point out the obvious either. Not with two strikes. I threw a soft ball at a poster. Then I was muzzled. Jannik Sinner is as boring as it gets. He tested positive twice for a banned substance...it was more or less swept under the rug. Christmas approaching on the radar screen. Even that tradition is slowly being eradicated. Tennis metaphoring life. What a great thread this was. Thirteen years..13,000 views. Three a day? That's quite a few. I haven't really written much the past couple of years. Ever since Roger left the stadium. It was a great run. Sort of nostalgic now.

I returned to the little tennis club in Skultorp, Sweden the other day. The guys were going to play a match and invited me to come and watch. It turned out that it was cancelled. The other team didn't show. So the four guys were practicing. They greeted me with a sort of an awestruck look. Almost exaggerated respect. I have come to expect that from them. Great kids. No longer kids though. Two of them have taken over much of the training hours at the club. I couldn't be prouder. Happy too. To think I did all that. Not in a shy way either.

[don_budge]

Well...enough said.

[don_budge]

I am really impressed with that NAVARRO gal! Big match coming up for her next.

[don_budge]

Unbelievable...managed to login after about eight weeks of not being able to. I wasn't able to make any of the modifications that Jeffrey Counts came up with. But here I am. Back on the forum. By the way...the tennis is tanking. Drug test scandal with the number one seed in the men's draw at the U. S. Open. Carlos Alcarez disappeared by a virtual unknown. Novak in the driver's seat now. On paper. I watched about five minutes of Sinner yesterday with the wife. Bored to tears in no time. All in all...just happy to be able to login. Handicap down to 3.3. The only thing this old world understands is hard work. That's my message.

[don_budge]

Hole in one Monday here in Sweden at the Knistad Golf and Country Club today! Five iron on the 13th hole, a 180 yard par 3...straight on the flag and rolled into the hole. It was fluid, absence of effort and poetry in motion.

Double bogey on the same hole Tuesday. Perhaps the worst tee shot ever on that hole...behind a bunker. Attempt over the bunker came up short of the green and rolled into the bunker. Bunker shot short of the green. One chip and one putt. Double bogey five. So it goes. Golf is a cruel game. So is tennis.

As I was laying in bed, I was thinking. What kind of person plays these two games? Psychology Today analyzed tennis and golf thusly; in tennis the racquets symbolize swords and the balls the contestants testicles. The players are trying to castrate each other. Nowadays this analogy seems to be a bit dated as the players using the oversized racquets are more bludgeoning each other than surgically removing the family jewels. But in yesteryear...the parry and thrust was much more apparent. Each going viscerally at each others weakness. The analogy of golf was trying to avoid committing suicide.

What kind of person is so mean and so cruel that he thoroughly loves and enjoys castrating his opponents? What kind of person can face the prospect of potentially committing suicide routinely on the golf course? The thought that I so passionately loved both sports gave me a start. I spent the night in a restless moral dilemma. The sting of the double bogey fresh in my mind. When I aced the hole on Monday, I felt virtually nothing about the result. What I did feel was what doctorhl wrote..."the pursuit of fluidity, absence of effort, poetry in motion". Although my partners both were celebrating and offering me the obligatory high fives...I felt nothing. No joy. Just grim satisfaction of a good swing. I knew that this sort of success is short lived in golf. Something will always come along to even things up. That is...until you master the game. Until you master yourself.

So it goes. I wonder how much longer I can tolerate this reality. This constant masochism. Self mutilation. I'm too old for this...or am I? I think the answer lies somehow in not caring. To divorce yourself of all anticipation and retrospect. Simply staying in the moment. Accepting. The good and the bad. It's a terrible struggle. Recently a PGA professional who was enjoying some rather good level of success committed suicide. Fulfilling the Psychology Today prophecy. Another female professional is retiring somewhat prematurely citing the cruelty of the game. The hard work. The limited rewards coupled with high expectations. I couldn't imagine playing either sport for a living. Your very existence based on your ability to survive on a day to day basis in such a competitive occupation. Cruel games.

So I played the same hole twice and averaged par for both days. Six shots for two times played. A measly par three, yet the highs and lows both taking their toll on my fragile psyche. The one thing that I did do as I was leaving the green when I hit the hole and one...I looked up at the sky and said, "thank you Lord, thank you Jesus". It was an act of God and nothing about my ability or skill set. It was either fate or just a coincidence. As luck would have it.

Today I am playing a match for my club. The Knistad Golf and Country Club here in Sweden. At seventy years old I should be playing in the seventy and over team but I chose to play on the sixty and over team. An aquaintance said to me when I told him that..."making it harder on yourself". I said, "no, I am making it harder on the younger guys". I am in the top three in scoring over the course of our matches. But there isn't a shred of satisfaction. Only greed. Greedily wanting to be more perfect...or less flawed. All in all...a complete waste of time in the big picture of the world. Completely meaningless. Yet somehow...it helps me to cope. It lifts me up for a moment only to cruelly beat me down. I guess I can take it. Just to live to play another day.