Tennis Anyone?

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Archer

·Sep 13, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

gbesq

I don’t care much for Djokovic’s attitude/ego, but he may very well be the best men’s tennis player ever.

Well, for many reasons he's certainly not the most loved of the big three. Part of that is that he's the third one to come along so there were already many fans of Roger and Rafa who didn't like the "new guy" beating their guy, and I'm sure a large part of it is his poor attitude and tantrums.

Over his time I have both loved and loathed him. I've seen him be great with kids, and then turn around and be his own worst enemy. I respect what he and others are trying to do with the new professional association certainly. I think when the dust settles, he will be seen as the GOAT in an era of GOAT's, but still won't have the love that the other two do.

 

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MRC

·Sep 13, 2021

JetLinks

Picking up a $2.5M winners check is nothing compared to all the endorsement deals she'll receive, so my question is, which sponsors will she go with and what timepiece will she be wearing next year?

No-one seems to be sponsored by Omega....

Here's a list I found:

• Roger Federer: Rolex
• Rafael Nadal: Richard Mille
• Novak Djokovic: Audemars Piguet
• Serena Williams: Audemars Piguet
• Maria Sharapova: TAG Heuer
• Li Na: Rolex
• Ana Ivanovic: Rolex
• Caroline Wozniacki: Rolex
• Kim Clijsters: Citizen
• Andy Murray: Rado
• Dominic Thiem: Rolex
• Kei Nishikori: TAG Heuer
• Marin Cilic: Capri Watch
• Stan Wawrinka: Audemars Piguet
• Alexander Zverev: Richard Mille
• Garbine Muguruza: Rolex
• David Ferrer: Bovet Fleurier
• Grigor Dimitrov: Rolex
• Borna Coric: Hublot
• Milos Raonic: Rolex
• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Rolex

 

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Archer

·Sep 13, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Medvedev has a relationship with Bovet - he strapped on a tourbillon after the win yesterday.

 

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gbesq

·Sep 13, 2021

I had an interesting encounter at the Open that I forgot to mention in my prior posts. My sister and I were at an Amex booth where reps were distributing complimentary radios/earpieces synced to the ESPN commentary to Amex cardmembers. One of the younger reps noticed my vintage Seamaster (photo below). He remarked that he had encountered many cardmembers wearing Rolexes, but found none of them appealing and that my Omega, in his words, was “real class.” Never expected anyone to notice the watch, let alone comment on it, but it brought a smile to my face.

Edited: Sep 13, 2021

 

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TimeODanaos

·Sep 13, 2021

MRC

No-one seems to be sponsored by Omega....

This does seem to come up sometimes - I think there's was a good coverage of the ground on OF here. FWIW, I wish Swatch would change their thinking a bit. But then I would say that: Omega and tennis both have a personal appeal to me, and I would welcome each sharing their best qualities to the advantage of the other. I doubt that marketing budgets can afford to be quite so idealistic though...

 

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shaun hk

·Sep 13, 2021

MRC

No-one seems to be sponsored by Omega....

Here's a list I found:

• Roger Federer: Rolex
• Rafael Nadal: Richard Mille
• Novak Djokovic: Audemars Piguet
• Serena Williams: Audemars Piguet
• Maria Sharapova: TAG Heuer
• Li Na: Rolex
• Ana Ivanovic: Rolex
• Caroline Wozniacki: Rolex
• Kim Clijsters: Citizen
• Andy Murray: Rado
• Dominic Thiem: Rolex
• Kei Nishikori: TAG Heuer
• Marin Cilic: Capri Watch
• Stan Wawrinka: Audemars Piguet
• Alexander Zverev: Richard Mille
• Garbine Muguruza: Rolex
• David Ferrer: Bovet Fleurier
• Grigor Dimitrov: Rolex
• Borna Coric: Hublot
• Milos Raonic: Rolex
• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Rolex

I do wonder if it is due to Rolex sponsoring so many (all?) of the grand slam tournaments. Omega marketing probably think if Rolex are that strong in the actual tournaments there is little point in us sponsoring players. I remember seeing a Rolex being put on the wrist of Muguruza after she won Wimbledon.

 

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gbesq

·Sep 13, 2021

Perhaps Swatch finds Omega’s tie ins with the Olympics and the Bond franchise to be sufficient.

 

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Pip

·Sep 17, 2021

Interesting discussion re sponsorships. They must have run the numbers, but does anybody actually know anybody who has bought a watch because some sports persons strapped one on just before an interview?
Just to add to the list, Seiko sponsored Djokovic until fairly recently. You know, back when he turned into a tennis playing version of the Terminator and seemed like he couldn't lose.

 

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Archer

·Sep 17, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Sponsorships are pretty much irrelevant to me personally, and the only thing they would possibly do is turn me off buying a watch or other product that was associated with a specific celebrity or athlete that I dislike for some reason.

So for example you won't see me on court with any Armani gear, because of the player they currently sponsor...

 

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STANDY

·Sep 17, 2021·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

Archer

Congrats to Sam and her partner! Having an Australian wife, there was no question who we were cheering for! 👍

And I’ll say it...go Novak! Looking to see some history made today.

Looks like there was some history made 😉

 

T

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Tx3double

·Sep 19, 2021

I played a little but growing up, just lightly getting back into it in my 40s. Fun way to get a workout in.

 

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Archer

·Sep 28, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Well playing last night and hit a forehand - something sounded very off...



Dang...had a back-up racquet with me, but it's heavier and has very different strings, so felt very odd. Need to get this one restrung.

 

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TimeODanaos

·Sep 28, 2021

Archer

Well playing last night and hit a forehand - something sounded very off...

Plumb in the middle - sign of good technique! 👍

 

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Archer

·Sep 28, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

TimeODanaos

Plumb in the middle - sign of good technique! 👍

Yes, I suppose if there is a bright side, this is it. 😀

I actually saw my coach this past weekend for the first time in probably 18 months - he was running a tournament so I didn't have much time to talk to him. I was seriously thinking I should hand him that racquet to get it restrung (I knew it was way overdue), but I wasn't sure when I'd be seeing him next, so didn't.

Then just yesterday morning, I was thinking I should rewrap the grip on the back-up just in case, but didn't get around to it...

 

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TimeODanaos

·Nov 20, 2021

Looking forward a whole lot to ATP Finals in Turin tomorrow. Zverev has just shown what he can do when he stays "on" mentally and gets his serves in, and deserved his SF win against Djoko. That doesn't often happen, and for cause - on hard, Novak is still in a class of one imo, and even now, Zverev is not a Jedi yet. Battle of the big wingspans will be close tomorrow, but I'm guessing Medvedev for the w - I just like his brand of slight craziness, and he's had more rest. Can't wait!

 

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64Wing

·Nov 20, 2021

I will freely admit that I'm an ardent fan of Roger Federer. I just read that he's going to be recovering from knee surgery for a while. The article alluded to his intentions to retire at Wimbledon (year unknown). It'll be the end of an era and bittersweet knowing he'll get to enjoy more time with his family.

I do hope that he might stay in tennis as a coach or even a media professional.

To me, he has shown a level of class and focus that's hard to match.

All that said, I'm excited to see the next batch of "bigs" make themselves known. We already see lots of promise in Medvedev, Zvarev, Tsitsipas, and (when he cares) Kyrgios. Many others too! And that's kinda what makes me hope Roger and the current class of dominators will send up coaching the next generation. It'll make for some truly remarkable tennis

 

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Archer

·Nov 21, 2021·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

I hope that if Roger doesn’t continue playing singles, that he will play doubles. I think he could, with the right partner of course, rack up many majors as a doubles player. Little less stress on the body, and he would still have his great serve and shotmaking.

 

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TimeODanaos

·Nov 21, 2021

+1 re Roger in doubles - with those perfect volleys too. Certainly hope today's biggies mentor the next gen, and the many after that. Also, someone I know has been to Rafa's academy, and says the man is more than just a name on the door; and Murray has a great rep with the young Brits.
So Zverev has finally shown what he can really do, and there wasn't much stopping that train. No-one in the current crop, or even those within the horizon, has the things that make The big three so wonderful - but it just wouldn't be fair to expect it, and we need to start getting used to that. But there will be good times, I'm hoping we get Thiem back firing, and there are peak Felix A-A and young Sr Alcaraz to look forward to, so that can't be bad!

 

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MRC

·Jan 23, 2022

Learned a new Australianism today while watching the Aussie Open highlights. "He's as tough as a two dollar steak." Like it 👍

 

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Archer

·Jan 23, 2022·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Good to see a couple of Canadians going deep in this event, after winning the ATP Cup! Denis takes on Rafa in the quarters next, who he has beaten before. Big ask, but so was Zverev!

Felix has Marin Cilic tonight, which should be doable to get him into the quarters along with Denis.

Interesting that the trainer for the #1 doubles team of Matec/Pavic wanted to start a fight with Kygrios after Nick and his partner beat them. It's tough playing an Aussie down under, and I know they weren't happy with the crown, but that's maybe taking it a little too far.

Sorry to see Vika out of the women's singles - was cheering for her to take it all...