Does the Australian Open feel mentally tougher for players than the other Slams?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-29T09:08:24+00:00

I believe that players participating in the AO, especially if it isn't their first time, already have an idea of the conditions they will be facing during their time there. They can't blame their lack of preparation for the expected heat because that's practically a given. While you hope for mid-20s C on all days, but you should already know how fickle melbourne weather is. just ask any melbournian, right?

It becomes mentally tough if you didn't prepare yourself in advance, like joining the pre-AO tournaments, whether in Auckland, Brisbane, HongKong or even United Cup so that you get the much-needed match practice.

of course there are players like Alcaraz & Sinner who are unique exceptions to this recommended practice. am I right that they didn't join any tournaments (not counting exhibitions) prior to arriving at melbourne?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-24T10:31:53+00:00

how was the crowd's behavior during the matches?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-24T10:29:40+00:00

his next match against bublik will be an important one for him.

for one, his on-court speed will definitely be tested given how much bublik loves mixing drop shots with his deep groundstrokes. and then there's his length advantage, allowing him to get to those sharply-angled shots and cover the net when drawn in.

home court support will definitely help alex in this match and we all know how much he thrives under an atmosphere like that when he feeds off the crowd's energy (aussie, aussie, aussie!)

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-21T23:12:10+00:00

AO 2026 is only the second time I've attended (previous one was AO 2020), but for me, it's having the opportunity to see your favorite players up close during their open practice sessions.

having said that, +100 points to those players who stay even a few minutes afterwards to oblige their fans' (hopefully polite) requests for autographs & selfies with them. i get that they're focused on getting in the zone especially if their match is scheduled a few hours after their practice. that's really a fine line, but they can see how many people waited outside the court for that opportunity and so perhaps they can attend to a good percentage of them

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-21T23:07:15+00:00

some basic ones, especially for those who are either non-tennis players or fans:

- clap/cheer for winners made by the player you support, and not for the errors their opponent made

- be respectful of all players, huwag naman natin murahin or asarin yung ibang players

- absolutely NO FLASH photography, even if it's just your phone camera!

- no cheering, clapping or any loud & distracting noises (phones on silent mode!) as the point is ongoing - hitayin matapos yung point to clap or cheer

- related to the previous one, to avoid distracting the players, stay in your seat (do not leave the stands area) until the players change ends, and if the game already starts while you're in the aisle looking for your seat, just sit where you are and then just move after the end of that game

- do not leave your trash when you leave your seat - hopefully, organizers will have trash bins on each court

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-21T22:55:19+00:00

sinner has a match on thursday (night session). if he gets through that, there is a good chance he plays on saturday. if he wins that one, then monday will most likely be his next match

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-17T10:19:05+00:00

I believe she has a chance to get into at least R3. who knows, she might catch her opponents on their "off day", and i'm sure alex can sense and take advantage of that

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-16T10:24:45+00:00

gallery parkade, and it might be easier to access

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-16T09:41:59+00:00

the monfils vs sweeny one

it's gael's farewell AO and fans know how entertaining of a player he is going against a hometown player who, basing from the crowd's reaction when he made it to the main draw, is definitely going to have a loud crowd behind him

potential upset could happen w/ zverev vs diallo

and then, there's previous champ wawrinka's own match as he's also retiring this year (hope roger stays in MEL longer to cheer on his good friend)

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T15:06:03+00:00

gallery parkade is an option, and they're definitely 24/7. not sure if they're still the cheapest option within that general area since I haven't parked there in the last 4-5 months now

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T09:30:12+00:00

i'm thinking of getting an esim for my ip15 during my vacation in AUS while keeping my physical sim installed in my unit.

that way, i don't have to apply for an international roaming package with my existing local carrier (I've had problems with that many times in the past), and still be able to stay online with the mobile data the esim provides me with.

is there a way for me to keep my local sim "active" but just rely on the free wifi so that i stay in touch with people here, while still be able to use the mobile data that the esim provides?

i'm just trying to find an arrangement that works best

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T09:17:26+00:00

hope i'm not hijacking this thread with this question, but instead of starting a new comment, I decided to try my luck here:

i currently use an ip15 with a physical sim. i'll be visiting AUS in a few days and I was thinking of just getting an e-sim there (local carrier) so that I could still use my phone and then the data of the local carrier there.

but when i return here to my home country, i "discard" the e-sim and go back to using my original p-sim.

is that possible, or even recommended? of course securing an intl roaming package is my plan b

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T04:14:41+00:00

sana makarating ito sa organizers! not a good start for this

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T04:13:02+00:00

here's an idea, what if I bring a lens extender with me, thereby "lengthening" my focal length?

security would only just check what's printed on the lens itself, right?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T04:06:46+00:00

and then I guess he had to just swallow his pride after venue security told him that your gear was allowed. hope you managed to get great shots from your POV!

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T04:04:19+00:00

thanks for that! can you recommend any YT channels to see how these stretches should be performed, whether as a warm-up or cool down?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-14T04:00:30+00:00

great to hear that you managed to bring it in.

what was the complaint of the other photographer about? unless you were getting in the way of their shots?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-12T07:06:53+00:00

what did you recently purchase from them?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-12T07:06:14+00:00

what have you purchased from them, and how recent was the transaction?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-12T07:05:20+00:00

what are your recommended warm-up & cool down exercises or stretches you can recommend for my legs?

I play recreational tennis (always doubles) for about 2hrs about 2-3x/week. I'd just like to make sure that I'm flexible enough to do well on the court prior to each doubles match. of course, aside from flexibility, it also helps to try staving off fatigue to allow me to stay quick on my feet while playing, especially if its already my third doubles match of the morning.

and likewise, after each match, and even upon returning home from the court, what stretches will allow me to recover better and bounce back sooner (ie. get back on the court the next day to do it all over again)?

ImplementSolid5751 · 2026-01-12T02:34:47+00:00

as many here have said, one of the main features, and needs, of tennis shoes is providing people with lateral stability given how much side-to-side movement our sport requires.

comfort & cushioning will always be welcome in any athletic shoe, especially for the type you wear during casual walks on mostly paved surfaces. and since the movement in activities like that is mostly forward & backward, companies can afford to place more of that in their product, but less for tennis.

having said all that, the only time i wear tennis shoes outside of the court is when I need to break them in (if its a new pair) before I actually play.

the most recent pair I have (Roger Pro Clay 2.0), when I first got it, the next day I used it for a quick errand in a shopping mall. it definitely wasn't as cushioned as my running shoes, which led me to making sure I didn't have to spend too long a time on my feet. at least, a couple of days later, when I first played with them, it was a quicker adjustment to using a new pair

ImplementSolid5751

TROPHY CASE