Roland Garros / French Open 2025 [Men] - Grand Slam

[Moxie]

Wow, two guys pretending to be way more tired than they actually are! Welcome to Draper x Monfils.

Oh, at the end, Monfils was genuinely tired. He's 38! Hugely entertaining match.

 

[mrzz]

Oh, at the end, Monfils was genuinely tired. He's 38! Hugely entertaining match.

He was. But what really got him were cramps.

At least Draper was decent at the net. Must be that day of the year....

 

[Fiero425]

Wow, two guys pretending to be way more tired than they actually are! Welcome to Draper x Monfils.

That's what I've always disliked about Monfils! He plays these mind games w/ his opp., TV comm., & the Fans! One moment he's dragging around like he's one foot in the grave, then has this burst of energy out of nowhere! Total BS! Isner was another one who had these slumped shoulders as if he's on his last leg, but somehow he got thru his matches in excruciating fashion!

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for French Open, Day 6 Round 3, May 30, 2025

 

[Moxie]

He was. But what really got him were cramps.

At least Draper was decent at the net. Must be that day of the year....

What really got him was age. And the 5-setter he played 2 day ago. Gael was lovely to him at the net. He was giving Jack an earful of love at the net, it seemed. Draper seems like a genuinely good guy. He was respectful of Monfils, and of the crowd, and of the situation. I think you should get over your prejudice against him.

 

[mrzz]

I think you should get over your prejudice against him

Sorry, but what I have against him by no means is prejudice. That is one of those words everyone uses the wrong way lately, and you are doing just that. There is nothing "pre" in my opinion of the guy. A few attitudes and things he objectively said already rub me the wrong way, but I could live with that. And then came that episode, which is there, on tape, as objective as real life in front of ours eyes can be. Based on that episode, I formed an strong opinion about the guy. Zero prejudice there. Just basic human behavior, based on facts, not on my beliefs or pre conceived opinions.

Having said all that, could I "forgive" the guy (yes, I know, the dude doesn't need my forgiveness)? Yes, I could, preferably based on facts. His behavior at the net today is a start. One step in the right direction. Looooong way to go still, though

 

[Moxie]

Sorry, but what I have against him by no means is prejudice. That is one of those words everyone uses the wrong way lately, and you are doing just that. There is nothing "pre" in my opinion of the guy. A few attitudes and things he objectively said already rub me the wrong way, but I could live with that. And then came that episode, which is there, on tape, as objective as real life in front of ours eyes can be. Based on that episode, I formed an strong opinion about the guy. Zero prejudice there. Just basic human behavior, based on facts, not on my beliefs or pre conceived opinions.

Having said all that, could I "forgive" the guy (yes, I know, the dude doesn't need my forgiveness)? Yes, I could, preferably based on facts. His behavior at the net today is a start. One step in the right direction. Looooong way to go still, though

At least you're keeping an open mind. To be prejudiced doesn't only mean that you came to that opinion beforehand. It also can mean you harbor a prejudice based on past behavior. That's what I mean. I won't revisit it. But the man is young, and I appreciate that you may not hold this against him forever.

 

[Moxie]

I could get up early for Musetti v. Navone.

 

[kskate2]

It's also not anyone's place to tell someone else to just get over it. We like who we like and dislike who we dislike, period. No further explanation is needed unless you choose to dialogue. That's what makes this a discussion board.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

This isn't the first time someone has suggested it, but Alex DeMinaur calls for a shorter season: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_...-minaur-calls-shorter-season-french-open-loss

Easiest solution is to move the ATP/WTA finals to the 2nd half of September, following the US Open. Then, make the fall schedule U21. The established players get their shorter season, while the next generation of players get needed coverage during the fall (imagine if we had something like that when Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were coming up).

 

[kskate2]

And it won't be the last time you hear it. I get it, it's tough for the Aussies being away from home for so long. But no top 10 player should be struggling w/ fatigue. He needs to manage his schedule better. Not trapse across the world playing every tourney. If you're injured, you should absolutely rest until you are fit to play. Nobody is forcing him to enter all these events.

But all of this aside, it sounds more like sour grapes that he lost a 2 sets lead to an unseeded player.

 

[Fiero425]

And it won't be the last time you hear it. I get it, it's tough for the Aussies being away from home for so long. But no top 10 player should be struggling w/ fatigue. He needs to manage his schedule better. Not trapse across the world playing every tourney. If you're injured, you should absolutely rest until you are fit to play. Nobody is forcing him to enter all these events.

But all of this aside, it sounds more like sour grapes that he lost a 2 sets lead to an unseeded player.

This is yet another reason I'm put off by tennis & the ATP in particular! It's like these people don't know how privileged they are playing a game, making millions, & picking up worldwide adoration! When we hear about scheduling, the length of the season, & # of events, it's usually the elite top players whinging the most! They already have the advantage of better management, seeding, money, & byes in some events, since they win more, they want to cut back their schedules! I can't believe this goes back to McEnroe & Connors era believe it or not! Their complaint was more about $$ & their thinking the men deserved more of "the spoils!" The lower ranked players have always depended on a full schedule of events to make up for their lack of success! Playing 24+ tournaments is a choice! The elites should keep their mouthes shut! It seems like only Dokovic has advocated to trickle down more prize $$$ to earlier rounds to make up for shortening the schedule!

 

[lomaha]

And it won't be the last time you hear it. I get it, it's tough for the Aussies being away from home for so long. But no top 10 player should be struggling w/ fatigue. He needs to manage his schedule better. Not trapse across the world playing every tourney. If you're injured, you should absolutely rest until you are fit to play. Nobody is forcing him to enter all these events.

But all of this aside, it sounds more like sour grapes that he lost a 2 sets lead to an unseeded player.

Yes the ATP bonus system does and they get huge fines if they don't play the big tournaments.

 

[El Dude]

Yes the ATP bonus system does and they get huge fines if they don't play the big tournaments.

The ATP requires only 12 tournaments: the four Grand Slams and eight Masters, as far as I can tell. De Minaur has played four (non-mandatory) ATP 500s so far this year. Last year he played 8 non-mandatory 500s/250s. So @kskate2 is correct: De Minaur CAN play fewer tournaments.

Now if you care about rankings, you're going to want to play in more than just the 12 mandatory events as the ATP rankings count 19 (or 20, if you qualify for the Tour Finals). But most top players play 15-20 tournaments a year, while lesser players tend to play 25+ as they go out earlier and thus play fewer matches per tournament.

The point being, if you want to lighten up the load of players, another route is to keep the schedule as is, but only count, say, 15 events in ATP rankings: 4 Slams, 8 mandatory Masters, and best 3 other results (rather than best 7 other).

 

[Jelenafan]

Don’t some of these top 25 players opt for exhibitions for appearance money in the short off season?

 

[kskate2]

Yes the ATP bonus system does and they get huge fines if they don't play the big tournaments.

I'm not suggesting he skip the big tourneys unless absolutely necessary, but Dude is absolutely correct when he talks about the 500 and 250's. Besides, if you're injured and can't play, they won't fine you when you skip.

 

[kskate2]

Don’t some of these top 25 players opt for exhibitions for appearance money in the short off season?

some absolutely do

 

[don_fabio]

I was little worried for Rune today, but he came out good in 5 against the Halys. Musetti will be a huge challenge, but my money is on the Dane in this one.

 

[Fiero425]

I was little worried for Rune today, but he came out good in 5 against the Halys. Musetti will be a huge challenge, but my money is on the Dane in this one.

I see Rune got thru, but FILS didn't as he's a walkover to Rublev! Typical; used up all he had to win those 1st 2 matches! Altmaier's moving along nicely after upsetting Fritz in the 1st Rd.! He's very impressively moving along barely giving up sets! Paul's not going to make it working this hard to just get to the 4th Rd.; 14 sets so far! What an idiot! He's better than that or I thought he was!

 

[lomaha]

I'm not suggesting he skip the big tourneys unless absolutely necessary, but Dude is absolutely correct when he talks about the 500 and 250's. Besides, if you're injured and can't play, they won't fine you when you skip.

That's not what Ruud said in his interview ..