Tennis anyone?

[Kalevala]

Caught some of the moving tribute to Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros.  If you don't want to watch the whole thing, I would suggest coming in at about 30 minutes (and stick around for the surprise at the end).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL7DPff75l0

K

O.k., for tennis fans, how do I put it?  It's a moment that will make you cry/proud, etc.

K

[Kalevala]

Sad news, but I'm glad that his name was flagged:

From the BBC:

"Laura Scott
Sports News Correspondent

    Published
    17 June 2025

The man who was given a restraining order for stalking British tennis player Emma Raducanu earlier this year has been caught trying to apply for tickets for this month's Wimbledon Championships.

BBC Sport can reveal the All England Club's security system highlighted the man's name had been red-flagged, and blocked his attempt to enter the public ballot.

British number one Raducanu was left in tears after seeing a man who had followed her to four successive tournaments in the stands during a match at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February.

The man, who was removed, had given Raducanu, 22, a letter and asked for a photo in a coffee shop the previous day.

He was given a restraining order by Dubai police and his name was circulated around tennis authorities.
What happened in Dubai?

Raducanu was approached by the man near the player hotel in Dubai the day before her second-round match with Karolina Muchova.

He gave her a letter and took her photo, which unnerved Raducanu, who had been aware of his presence at tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha in preceding weeks.
Although she reported it to a member of her team, the information was not passed on to the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) or the tournament until the following day.

The Briton hid behind the umpire's chair two games into her defeat when she spotted him in the crowd.

The man who "exhibited fixated behaviour" was removed from the stands and detained by local police.

Speaking after the incident, Raducanu told reporters: "I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, 'I don't know how I'm going to finish'.

"I literally couldn't see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe.

"I was like, 'I need to just take a breather'."
'I'm always with someone and always being watched'

Raducanu shot to worldwide fame when she won the US Open as an 18-year-old in 2021.

She told BBC Sport soon after the incident in Dubai that it "could have been dealt with better" but that lessons have been learned.

"Since that incident I have definitely got increased attention and greater security," the 22-year-old said.

"I'm always now very aware and not necessarily doing things on my own any more.

"I'm always with someone and always being watched."

Raducanu has previously been the victim of a stalker, with another man given a five-year restraining order in 2022 after he walked 23 miles to her home."

There's more to the article:  https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c74zjj14xvyo

K

[Kalevala]

Anyone here watching the Championships?

Loved the match between Alcaraz and Tarvet (a British player, 21, who was given a wild card into the quallies and fought through to the second round of the main draw and then was playing Alcaraz on Centre court).  I was really impressed by his playing.  Style and never giving up to the end.

K

[Papy Oli]

Saw the last two sets of Fritz-Diallo last night. That youngster was good. It was tighter than Fritz anticipated.

Djokovic is having a gentle stroll at the moment 

[Kalevala]

Saw the last two sets of Fritz-Diallo last night. That youngster was good. It was tighter than Fritz anticipated.

Djokovic is having a gentle stroll at the moment 

I missed the Fritz-Diallo match. 

And yes, Djokovic has been playing really well; I know that in his first match, he started having some stomach issues and had a medical time out for which he was given something.  After the TO, he recovered and became his usual focused fighting machine.  I watched some of the first set of him vs. Dan Evans and they were tied (I think 3-all).  I went to make a phone call and noticed that it was "suddenly" 6-3 in the first set.  It went downhill from there (re Evans).  Was Evans injured or did Djokovic move into overdrive?

Novak is playing his fellow countryman Kecmanovic in the next round who I believe defeated Novak not too long ago.  To be fair, Novak hasn't played a lot of tournaments/matches plus is not quite the spring chicken (in terms of ages of tennis players).  Jannik Sinner is also in his half.  Considering his focus and experience and talent though, bet against him at your own peril.

Sorry to see Petra Kvitova retire.  She is a two-time Wimbledon champ and also fought her way back from a horrible attack in her home in which her dominant hand was stabbed. 

Emma Raducanu will have a very tough match ahead:  Aryna Sabalenka.

K

[Kalevala]

Watched some of the first set between Emma and Aryna; a close battle in the end.  I suspect that with the win in the first set that Aryna will pull ahead [appreciate how the probably mostly British crowd have been supporting her--Raducanu].  Oooh!  Emma is now up 3-1 in the second!  Love to see her playing better again and more consistently.  Now 4-1!

Happy to see how Carlitos is doing.  Love his joy and smiles and sportsmanship.

K

[Kalevala]

Rainy day, at least for the moment, at Wimbledon.  Happily, there are two covered courts there, so there will be at least some play today.  Hopefully, I will be able to watch some of Sinner's and Swiatek's matches (some errands/chores to do).

Would love to hear from others here.  Always happy for polite discourse.

K

EDIT:  I missed that Novak is playing Kecmanovic following the other two!  😳 Big day today! 

[Mandryka]

The village is all spruced up

https://wimbledonvillage.com/news-offers/vote-for-your-favourite-tennis-window/

but the town is looking particularly dowdy this year - I'm surprised Elys didn't make more of an effort.

https://lovewimbledon.org/wonderful-wimbledon-fortnight/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLjspMJIOMJ/

[Kalevala]

The village is all spruced up

https://wimbledonvillage.com/news-offers/vote-for-your-favourite-tennis-window/

but the town is looking particularly dowdy this year - I'm surprised Elys didn't make more of an effort.

https://lovewimbledon.org/wonderful-wimbledon-fortnight/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLjspMJIOMJ/

I remember some years ago reading about the village businesses putting up special window displays; there are some very clever ones.   

K

[Mandryka]

I remember some years ago reading about the village businesses putting up special window displays; there are some very clever ones.   

K

The shopkeepers all complain that it's bad for business. The people who come for the tennis tend to go straight to the tournament and then leave. Their regular clientele don't shop in Wimbledon because it's so hard to park in the fortnight.

The outside large screen projection in the town has been a real success though.

[vandermolen]

I didn't see the whole match (I'm not that interested in tennis) but I thought that Raducanu played very well and was sorry to see her defeated.

[Iota]

I didn't see the whole match (I'm not that interested in tennis) but I thought that Raducanu played very well and was sorry to see her defeated.

I also watched some of that and enjoyed it. It's the first time I've seen her play anywhere near that level since her out-of-the-blue triumph at the US Open. I also sat down and watched Sinner properly for the first time yesterday, and was very impressed.

[vandermolen]

I also watched some of that and enjoyed it. It's the first time I've seen her play anywhere near that level since her out-of-the-blue triumph at the US Open. I also sat down and watched Sinner properly for the first time yesterday, and was very impressed.

Yes, I agree about Raducanu.

[Madiel]

Oh blast. I haven't really been following Wimbledon much as yet, only to now see that Jordan Thompson made it all the way into the 4th round... and has just retired hurt! What a shame.

So we only have Alex de Minaur left... and he's playing Djokovic tomorrow. Yikes.

[Kalevala]

The shopkeepers all complain that it's bad for business. The people who come for the tennis tend to go straight to the tournament and then leave. Their regular clientele don't shop in Wimbledon because it's so hard to park in the fortnight.

The outside large screen projection in the town has been a real success though.

Sorry to hear that re local businesses.  Considering where you live, have you seen your shopping habits change during the tournament? 

K

[Kalevala]

Oh blast. I haven't really been following Wimbledon much as yet, only to now see that Jordan Thompson made it all the way into the 4th round... and has just retired hurt! What a shame.

So we only have Alex de Minaur left... and he's playing Djokovic tomorrow. Yikes.

Sorry to hear that about Thompson.  Any idea if the injury was very major?

Looking forward to watching the de Minaur vs. Djokovic match!

Read that there was a glitch (human error??) re the electronic calling during one of the women's matches earlier today.

K

[Kalevala]

Well, I suspect that in terms of one of the semis that it will be Novak vs. someone.  Sinner has been doing much better on grass, so maybe the two of them?  Obviously, there are no guarantees:  players get injuries/illnesses and also sometimes they just have bad days and/or get out played by a better opponent.

Just some thoughts....

K

[Mandryka]

Sorry to hear that re local businesses.  Considering where you live, have you seen your shopping habits change during the tournament? 

K

The truth is that I can walk to both the Village and The Town, so probably not in Wimbledon. But I would not drive to Kingston or Putney or Guildford while the tennis is on, because of the traffic on the A3 at Shannon Corner.

[Kalevala]

The truth is that I can walk to both the Village and The Town, so probably not in Wimbledon. But I would not drive to Kingston or Putney or Guildford while the tennis is on, because of the traffic on the A3 at Shannon Corner.

Good to hear that you are still venturing into town/village.

Happy to see Roger there and nice to hear Novak's comments re serve and volley.  Andreeva's comments were sweet and cute also.  Well done by her....she's very talented.

Good fight by de Minaur.

K

[Irons]

The truth is that I can walk to both the Village and The Town, so probably not in Wimbledon. But I would not drive to Kingston or Putney or Guildford while the tennis is on, because of the traffic on the A3 at Shannon Corner.

Double whammy with RHS Hampton Court Garden Fest last week.