Faulkner

Jaron Lewis from Maryland

Can’t vouch for this data but...

Dre from somewhere down south (Georgia, Alabama)

I think his window is closing at the other Slams, but the only folks 25 or younger who look imminently ready to win majors are Thiem and Tsitsipas. And Rafa’s main competition (Novak, Stan, Roger, Delpo) are all getting older too. It’ll be an interesting couple of years for sure. I don’t think the window’s closed at RG for another 1-3 titles, but time will tell.

He just made a final in Melbourne, a semi in NY, and lost a tight battle against the eventual champion in London. With some skillful scheduling for rest and helpful draws, which often happen for him, it’s very doable. And that’s not even thinking about the possibility for more RG titles to put him over the top.

You know they’ll move the goalposts and say, “Well Rafa won the bulk of his at RG, whereas Roger is more versatile and therefore the GOAT.”

I know it’s boring to see Rafa win every year, but man is he good on this surface. 18 slams. 12 at RG.

Javier Cobo from Spain

My Bay Area friend (who is black) responded to this, “He’s not wrong. It’s why I live in Oakland.”

Interesting stat at Rafa goes for his 18th GS to Roger’s 20.

The Nadal/Thiem match is intense early on. If Thiem can maintain this level, which is a big “if,” this will be entertaining and close.

Łukasz Stępień from Pabianice, Poland

Moses from London

This is so wonderful.

Kleionne from NYC

All those people who were apoplectic on Dominic’s behalf yesterday regarding the suspension of play were wasting their breath. He has spoken. Such a good gif of the surprise men’s doubles champions celebrating their win.

Paul Unterleitner from Vienna, Austria

Hopefully she handles the spotlight better than Sam Stosur. I love Naomi and Petra can be fun, but this is a largely uninspiring group.

Good for Ash on winning her first Slam title, but this had no stakes. Just a shrug-worthy tournament. Probably the worst in recent memory if we’re considering both the men’s and the women’s sides. For the women, all of the stars crashed and burned early. The men were hampered by piss-poor scheduling.

This match is a snooze.

Novak played an absolutely baffling match, so the right player won. Now Thiem has to come back within a day to play a fresh Nadal.

Vintage hotness

Pran Udiyana from Bengaluru, India