2013 Wimbledon Championships...London England

[don_budge]

http://www.tennisplayer.net/bulletin/showthread.php?t=2096&highlight=2012+wimbledon

Defending champion...Roger Federer. Runner up...Andy Murray. Remember last year...it seems like a century ago. Federer took out Djokovic who was less than one hundred percent and Nadal took the early exit against what's his name. Time creeps along when you are having fun, doesn't it?

It will be fascinating to see the draw. Will Nadal and Djokovic somehow find themselves in the same half as they did in the French Open? Nadal is currently ranked #5 in the ATP rankings. If they seed strictly according to the rankings...Nadal becomes a wild card that could turn up in anybodies quarterfinal. What about that?

Who is going to come through as the New Kid on the Block? Dimitrov...Janowicz...Wawrinka. Anyone? What about Tommy Haas? Has he got in him to contend this year?

It's the Big Four...perhaps less Federer. His star seems to be waning a bit as of late. Sorry to say. I guess that you only have so many trips around the planet in you before it takes it's toll. So many trips around the sun. Below the Big Four you have the rest of the bunch...and they are sort of bunching up down to the 35th spot. The second tier. The second tier is getting very interesting and it will be very interesting to see who will emerge as Federer fades.

This years championships promises to be equally as dramatic as the French Open was this year. The real question marks will probably occur from the quarter finals to the finish...as usual.

Nadal has done a superb job in retooling himself for a stretch run in 2013. Djokovic seems to be perfectly positioned as well. Federer has won a warmup tournament on grass and Murray has won one for himself as well. Very interesting indeed.

[stroke]

Oddsmakers have Djokovic as the favorite at 15/8, followed by Murray, Nadal, and Fed. As in the French Open, there is a drop off to the next 4. The big difference is the odds are not nearly as strong on the favorite as in the FO, Nadal was such a prohibitive favorite, one would have had to bet $6 to win $5.

[klacr]

Rafael Nadal as the 5th seed. Crazy and unfair or legitimate? Probably gonna be a tough quarterfinal for one of the other big three. Or will we have another Lukas Rosol moment? Probably not. I'd love to prognosticate but I really need to see the draw when it comes out on Friday.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[lobndropshot]

That draw game

Is anyone going to do that draw game again?

[stotty]

Is anyone going to do that draw game again?

Not sure if Wimbledon do a fun game like the RG one. I will give them a ring and found out if they plan to.

[tennis_chiro]

Odds are changing with the grass season results!

Oddsmakers have Djokovic as the favorite at 15/8, followed by Murray, Nadal, and Fed. As in the French Open, there is a drop off to the next 4. The big difference is the odds are not nearly as strong on the favorite as in the FO, Nadal was such a prohibitive favorite, one would have had to bet $6 to win $5.

Ladbrokes odds: 6/20/13

Tournament Winner
• N Djokovic 7/4
• A Murray 11/4
• R Nadal 3/1
• R Federer 11/2
• J-W Tsonga 16/1
• J M Del Potro 33/1
• G Dimitrov 50/1
• T Berdych 50/1
• M Raonic 66/1
• M Cilic 100/1
• B Tomic 100/1
• D Ferrer 100/1
• J Janowicz 100/1
• T Haas 100/1
• S Wawrinka 125/1
• R Gasquet 150/1
• E Gulbis 150/1
• J Isner 200/1
•

So, how could you make a hedged bet if you thought only about 7 guys have any real chance at all.

I would say the only players outside of the top 4 who have a real chance are Wawrinka, Tsonga and Berdych. Wawrinka has played the best against the top guys of this group. Tsonga just got to the semis of the French. And Berdych got to the finals a couple of years ago. I don't think Dimitrov could make it all the way through. Likewise for any of the others including my pick for next year, Janowicz. Nadal as a number 5 seed could open up one quarter of the draw and one upset could allow somone to get to the final without having to play one of the big 4. That's really foolish on the part of Wimbledon. In that case, someone like Wawrinka has a much better chance. It would only take one huge upset from that player assuming someone else did them a favor before the semis.

I don't think Djoker will win, but he certainly could. I have to defend against his winning so I bet 8 units(lbs/$/euros/whatever) on Novak. If he wins that pays 22.

I like Nadal's chances so I bet 7 units on Rafa. If he wins, that pays 28.

Roger has a good chance here. Played well last week. 6 on Fed would pay 39.

Murray's odds have dropped after winning Queens. 8 on Andy would bring 30.

I'll protect my bet with 2 units on Tsonga. He would return 34.

Just one unit on Berdych offers protection. I'm sure Kyle would put at least 5 here. 1 brings 51.

Finally, I want to make a bet on Wawrinka. And just one unit on Stan will return 126. What the hell. I really like the way he is playing. I'll wager 2 units on Stan. That would bring 252.

Total bet = ( 8 + 7 + 6 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ) = 34

If Djoker wins, I lose 12
If Nadal wins, I lose 6
If Murray wins, I lose 4

If Fed wins, I'm ahead 5.
If Berdych wins, I'm ahead 17, half my investment.
If Tsonga wins, I break even.

But if Wawrinka wins, I'll triple my investment!!

Aw hell, just put a couple of quid on Federer and Wawrinka for me.

But if you can eliminate any of the top 4, you can probably figure out a good investment strategy. After the draw tomorrow, the odds will change a little. So will our feelings for everyone's chances. If Janowicz or Haas or Cilic ends up in that weak quarter, I'll have to rethink.

What do you think?? There may not be an RG Cup game, but we can make up a game here. How would you spread 35 quid? Or maybe we should say 100 quid! Triple my bets above and you have 102 quid. (A quid is a lb, right?)

don

[don_budge]

Gambling on Tennis...

Ladbrokes odds: 6/20/13

Tournament Winner
• N Djokovic 7/4
• A Murray 11/4
• R Nadal 3/1
• R Federer 11/2
• J-W Tsonga 16/1
• J M Del Potro 33/1
• G Dimitrov 50/1
• T Berdych 50/1
• M Raonic 66/1
• M Cilic 100/1
• B Tomic 100/1
• D Ferrer 100/1
• J Janowicz 100/1
• T Haas 100/1
• S Wawrinka 125/1
• R Gasquet 150/1
• E Gulbis 150/1
• J Isner 200/1
•

So, how could you make a hedged bet if you thought only about 7 guys have any real chance at all.

I would say the only players outside of the top 4 who have a real chance are Wawrinka, Tsonga and Berdych. Wawrinka has played the best against the top guys of this group. Tsonga just got to the semis of the French. And Berdych got to the finals a couple of years ago. I don't think Dimitrov could make it all the way through. Likewise for any of the others including my pick for next year, Janowicz. Nadal as a number 5 seed could open up one quarter of the draw and one upset could allow somone to get to the final without having to play one of the big 4. That's really foolish on the part of Wimbledon. In that case, someone like Wawrinka has a much better chance. It would only take one huge upset from that player assuming someone else did them a favor before the semis.

I don't think Djoker will win, but he certainly could. I have to defend against his winning so I bet 8 units(lbs/$/euros/whatever) on Novak. If he wins that pays 22.

I like Nadal's chances so I bet 7 units on Rafa. If he wins, that pays 28.

Roger has a good chance here. Played well last week. 6 on Fed would pay 39.

Murray's odds have dropped after winning Queens. 8 on Andy would bring 30.

I'll protect my bet with 2 units on Tsonga. He would return 34.

Just one unit on Berdych offers protection. I'm sure Kyle would put at least 5 here. 1 brings 51.

Finally, I want to make a bet on Wawrinka. And just one unit on Stan will return 126. What the hell. I really like the way he is playing. I'll wager 2 units on Stan. That would bring 252.

Total bet = ( 8 + 7 + 6 + 8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ) = 34

If Djoker wins, I lose 12
If Nadal wins, I lose 6
If Murray wins, I lose 4

If Fed wins, I'm ahead 5.
If Berdych wins, I'm ahead 17, half my investment.
If Tsonga wins, I break even.

But if Wawrinka wins, I'll triple my investment!!

Aw hell, just put a couple of quid on Federer and Wawrinka for me.

But if you can eliminate any of the top 4, you can probably figure out a good investment strategy. After the draw tomorrow, the odds will change a little. So will our feelings for everyone's chances. If Janowicz or Haas or Cilic ends up in that weak quarter, I'll have to rethink.

What do you think?? There may not be an RG Cup game, but we can make up a game here. How would you spread 35 quid? Or maybe we should say 100 quid! Triple my bets above and you have 102 quid. (A quid is a lb, right?)

don

One of my favorite Dostoyevsky novels is "The Gambler" which takes place in Baden Baden, Germany. He had a pretty serious gambling problem from what I understand. I have been there...played on their red clay, went to a mineral bath house where everyone was naked but I avoided the casino. I lost all of my money in Lake Tahoe once when I was twenty something (it was all of 15 dollars or so) and it left an indelible impression on my fragile psyche. That hurt.

I have never been much of a gambler...well except when it comes to love. But there is something about gambling on tennis matches that I find particularly distasteful.

It is acceptable...right? There is something about gambling in general that I find to be a real turn off. Something about the look in the eyes of the people gambling. My feelings about gambling is much like those of mine about smoking cigarettes...although I used to love to light up a Marlboro Light. I quit...I knew it wasn't good for me even though I looked cool as hell. Neither is gambling...9 times out of 10. For most people.

But please don't interpret this a preaching or moralizing in any way...because I don't care what others do. I realize that many find gambling to be exciting or entertaining. I just wanted to plug Dostoyevsky's "The Gambler". It seems sort of relevant for Wimbledon today...afterall they are making the draw.

[stotty]

Is anyone going to do that draw game again?

I phoned Wimbledon yesterday. They said they don't do a draw game like the one at RG...shame. Unless IBM are doing one it seems like we are out of luck.

[don_budge]

Projections vs. Prognostications...

Here are the projected quarter finals at Wimbledon 2013:

Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Tomas Berdych (7)
David Ferrer (4) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (8)
Roger Federer (3) vs. Rafael Nadal (5)
Andy Murray (2) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6)

Here are the projected quarter finals in a perfect world...assuming seeding by ranking and seeds 5, 6, 7 and 8 placed logically and not randomly. By coincidence the top four players in the world end up in four different brackets.

Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (8)
David Ferrer (4) vs. Rafael Nadal (5)
Roger Federer (3) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6)
Andy Murray (2) vs. Tomas Berdych (7)

All that being said..let the games begin.

Somehow...initially the draw does not appear to be as exciting as it was in the French Open. It will be interesting to see how it plays out...won't it?

[klacr]

Here are the projected quarter finals at Wimbledon 2013:

Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Tomas Berdych (7)
David Ferrer (4) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (8)
Roger Federer (3) vs. Rafael Nadal (5)
Andy Murray (2) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6)

Here are the projected quarter finals in a perfect world...assuming seeding by ranking and seeds 5, 6, 7 and 8 placed logically and not randomly. By coincidence the top four players in the world end up in four different brackets.

Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (8)
David Ferrer (4) vs. Rafael Nadal (5)
Roger Federer (3) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6)
Andy Murray (2) vs. Tomas Berdych (7)

All that being said..let the games begin.

Somehow...initially the draw does not appear to be as exciting as it was in the French Open. It will be interesting to see how it plays out...won't it?

That David Ferrer quarter is wide open!!! I've got Kohlschreiber and Del Potro making it to the quarters in that one. Not sold on Ferrer on grass. Sorry. Especially when he played just one match in 's-Hertogenbosch and was upset and admitted his practice for the grass was a hard court in Spain.

All other quarterfinal match-ups I see the top players living up to their seedings. Big fortnight for Berdych. Lost 1st round last year to Gulbis so he can definitely rack up some points. Would love to see TBerd duplicate a 2010 Wimbledon Performance.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[vrc10s]

Tennis Channel

Tennis Channel has a Racquet Bracket game that you can make private groups for. There are prizes for the overall winners.

[tennis_chiro]

TennisPlayerMensSingles

Tennis Channel has a Racquet Bracket game that you can make private groups for. There are prizes for the overall winners.

I created a Private Pool on the Tennis Channel website. The pool name is

TennisPlayerMensSingles

The password is

fundamentals

It seems pretty straightforward. You can fill out the draw pretty quickly and you can also have it fill itself out by just picking the actual seeds to win. I think this is a separate pool for just the men's draw. I'm out of my element when I go beyond the top few women so I'm just trying this for the mens.

I guess there is room to customize the way you keep score in the private pool, but you are also entered in the general one with prizes. I just went with the standard rules.

don

[don_budge]

The Gambler...Fyodor Dostoyevsky

I just finished reading "The Gambler" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I thought that I had read it as I have had it on my bookshelf for 19 years or so. But it must have been one that I intended to read at some later point in life. Well...I did. What a wonderful tale. Full of Dostoyevsky sense of humor and sense of irony. It's a must read...for gamblers. And tennis players. Everyone.

This has nothing to do with anything of course...not to mention the game that is being devised within the game. Just a little more nonsense from yours truly. hahaha.

[tennis_chiro]

Entries close 6:00AM EDT Monday morning

I created a Private Pool on the Tennis Channel website. The pool name is

TennisPlayerMensSingles

The password is

fundamentals

It seems pretty straightforward. You can fill out the draw pretty quickly and you can also have it fill itself out by just picking the actual seeds to win. I think this is a separate pool for just the men's draw. I'm out of my element when I go beyond the top few women so I'm just trying this for the mens.

I guess there is room to customize the way you keep score in the private pool, but you are also entered in the general one with prizes. I just went with the standard rules.

don

This is a one time entry. You have to get your picks in by 11:00AM Wimbledon time on Monday. It will take you 10 to 15 minutes to fill out the full draw sheet.

don

[stotty]

Do you have to be a member of Tennis Channel to play?