GMG Classical Music Forum

I didn't see a tennis thread (pardon if I missed it, and please feel free to move this posting there), so I thought that I'd start one.

Are there any tennis fans here?  If so, did you manage to watch any of the Hopman Cup matches?  I thought that the final's mixed doubles (particularly the third set) was quite exciting/sitting-on-the-edge-of-ones-chair-match!

Best wishes,

PD

Yes - who would want to miss Roger v Serena, and Frances and Belinda played their part.
Australian open coming up. All I need is some appropriate music (and no, nothing containing the word Clementine!).

Quote from: Ten thumbs on January 10, 2019, 02:46:34 AM
Yes - who would want to miss Roger v Serena, and Frances and Belinda played their part.
Australian open coming up. All I need is some appropriate music (and no, nothing containing the word Clementine!).

Actually, I was referring to Switzerland vs. Germany (who played each other in the final), but yes, it was quite exciting to see Serena and Roger (and their respective teammates) play against each other too!   :)  In the final, it came down to a tiebreak in the third and final set.  The rules were basically whoever got to five points first was the winner.  The score was 4-all, so it was championship point for both teams...whoever won the next point would win the Hopman Cup.  In the end, Switzerland won.  Good job though by both teams.  Felt rather badly for Germany as they hadn't won the HC for something like 24 years?  And they were also in the final last year...and you can guess who they lost to too!

Glad to hear that I am not alone here in enjoying tennis; I suspected not and was hoping that it was just the holidays keeping people from answering?

As far as appropriate music is concerned, hmmm....perhaps "Jeux" by Debussy to start?  And then followed by something by Britten, Ravel, Schoenberg, Gershwin and/or Prokofiev?  http://www.classical-music.com/feature/world-music/six-best-tennis-playing-composers

Will you be watching the Australian Open?  I hope to watch at least some of it....though the time difference is brutal.   :(

Best wishes,

PD

p.s.  By the way, who painted your painting/avatar?  And do you paint yourself?   :)

My late wife played tennis, all the way back from prep school ('Repton'?) until Denstone, then Cambridge, until competing at county level. Her grandmother (as an aside, the only member of her family who never judged me) had an orchard in her garden replaced by a tennis court to encourage my then little girl wife in her pursuits. Years later I played tennis againt my wife on her step mother's court. I boxed as an amateur for about 15-16 years but my wife's serves were faster than any jab I faced.  ;D

Quote from: NikF on January 11, 2019, 04:20:54 PM
My late wife played tennis, all the way back from prep school ('Repton'?) until Denstone, then Cambridge, until competing at county level. Her grandmother (as an aside, the only member of her family who never judged me) had an orchard in her garden replaced by a tennis court to encourage my then little girl wife in her pursuits. Years later I played tennis againt my wife on her step mother's court. I boxed as an amateur for about 15-16 years but my wife's serves were faster than any jab I faced.  ;D

;D  Good for her!  I don't play myself (should take some lessons), but I do love watching it!  Boxing?  A handy protective skill to have methinks.   :)

Best wishes,

PD

Anyone here been watching the Australian Open?  Currently on:  an exciting match between the Aussie Ash Barty and Maria Sharapova.  Looking forward to watching Roger play the young but very talented Tsitsipas later.

Best,

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on January 19, 2019, 05:46:02 PM
Anyone here been watching the Australian Open?  Currently on:  an exciting match between the Aussie Ash Barty and Maria Sharapova.  Looking forward to watching Roger play the young but very talented Tsitsipas later.

Best,

PD
Very talented indeed!

My wife is a big tennis fan. She will be disappointed that RF is out of the Australian Open.

Quote from: mc ukrneal on January 20, 2019, 04:06:25 AM

TOO talented!   :(

But, seriously, good for him.  What an accomplishment!  Heard that he is also the first Greek (or Greek man) to ever make it into a quarter-final at a slam too.  I do like him, but must admit I wanted to see Federer win.

PD

Quote from: aligreto on January 20, 2019, 04:38:22 AM
My wife is a big tennis fan. She will be disappointed that RF is out of the Australian Open.

Please let her know that I'd be happy to share my box of tissues with her.   :'(

Wonder whether or not it will be a Novak/Nadal final this year?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on January 20, 2019, 09:45:15 AM
TOO talented!   :(

But, seriously, good for him.  What an accomplishment!  Heard that he is also the first Greek (or Greek man) to ever make it into a quarter-final at a slam too.  I do like him, but must admit I wanted to see Federer win.

PD

Interestingly, Tsitsipas reminds me, to look at physically, of another tennis legend, Bjorn Borg. His playing style is, however, much different to that of Borg's. 

Quote from: aligreto on January 20, 2019, 11:28:15 AM
Interestingly, Tsitsipas reminds me, to look at physically, of another tennis legend, *Bjorn Borg. His playing style is, however, much different to that of Borg's.

Hey, how can one not like a guy who has a single-handed backhand and likes to incorporate serve and volley.  Hmmm...who else style-wise does that remind me of??   :-\

PD

Nadal  :laugh:

Quote from: aligreto on January 21, 2019, 08:35:18 AM
Nadal  :laugh:

Not the first person that came to mind.... ;)

Well, we will be getting a Djokovic/Nadal final!  No 5 hours and 53 minutes though with the changes in the rules.  Remember this?(http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-australian-open-final-2012-e1328372888670.jpg)  And this....

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K1ChQ_niS4s/hqdefault.jpg)

PD

https://betterlivingthroughbeowulf.com/farewell-to-serenas-dominance/

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on January 25, 2019, 02:15:44 PM
Remember this?

(http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-australian-open-final-2012-e1328372888670.jpg) 

And this....

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K1ChQ_niS4s/hqdefault.jpg)

PD

That was an incredible match.
The recent encounter was no comparison at all unfortunately.

Yes, sad to see.  Novak was certainly on fire!

Did you catch any of the women's match?  Now that was something!

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on January 29, 2019, 09:48:18 AM
Yes, sad to see.  Novak was certainly on fire!

Did you catch any of the women's match?  Now that was something!

PD

Yes, I watched the final and it was very exciting. A real pity that there had to be a winner in that one.

With the current lack of any real tennis playing going on, there's a fun virtual match currently being played in Madrid.  You can watch it either at Mutua Madrid's Facebook page or on tennis.com.  It's a round robin format and I think that all or part of the money goes towards various charities....a little confused about that part.  Note:  no advantages given to any of the players...it's all dependent upon their gaming skills.  Caught some of the match between Ferrar and Schwartzman...good to see them laughing and having fun.  The matches are quite short too (if you're worried about spending to much time watching them).  https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2020/04/watch-live-mutua-madrid-open-virtual-pro-video-game-tournament/88543/

or https://www.facebook.com/mutuamadridopen

PD

Am going through 'Manic Monday' withdrawal.  I miss my Wimbledon!

Mandryka,

How are you feeling about a non-The Championships year?  Particularly considering where you live?  I would imagine that between Covid-19 and no tennis players, teams, volunteers, lines people, chair umps, etc. and no spectators that it must be feeling exceedingly quiet/empty in your area?  Don't know how much of a tennis fan you are or whether or not you've ever been lucky enough to get tickets to see any live tennis?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 06, 2020, 11:14:23 AM
Am going through 'Manic Monday' withdrawal.  I miss my Wimbledon!

Mandryka,

How are you feeling about a non-The Championships year?  Particularly considering where you live?  I would imagine that between Covid-19 and no tennis players, teams, volunteers, lines people, chair umps, etc. and no spectators that it must be feeling exceedingly quiet/empty in your area?  Don't know how much of a tennis fan you are or whether or not you've ever been lucky enough to get tickets to see any live tennis?

PD

Anyone missing the tennis?  Mandryka?

Anyone here watching the US Open?

PD

No one except me?  :(  For you British sports fans, I was very impressed by Andy Murray's comeback from two sets down to win his first match a couple of days ago.  Almost 4 1/2 hours!  A number of the players watched from their private suites (formerly sponsors' VIP suites) including Novak while fellow Brits were there I think to see how he was playing and to also lend support to their former No. 1.   :)

Nice to see a couple of Nordic players now in a match against each other:  Casper Ruud (a Norwegian player who I've seen play before) and a new-to-me Finnish player by the name of Emil Ruusuvuori.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 03, 2020, 09:16:13 AM
No one except me?  :(  For you British sports fans, I was very impressed by Andy Murray's comeback from two sets down to win his first match a couple of days ago.  Almost 4 1/2 hours!  A number of the players watched from their private suites (formerly sponsors' VIP suites) including Novak while fellow Brits were there I think to see how he was playing and to also lend support to their former No. 1.   :)

Nice to see a couple of Nordic players now in a match against each other:  Casper Ruud (a Norwegian player who I've seen play before) and a new-to-me Finnish player by the name of Emil Ruusuvuori.

PD

I play tennis and I like watching tennis. Just the fanatical U.S. exceptionalism and Narcissism of the audience and commentators in the U.S. Open are not for me.

Anyone here watching the Australian Open? 

PD

My favorite game of tennis is in Debussy's Jeux:

(https://dancetabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/vg-jeux-pastel-fountain-1913_1000.jpg)

Yes, that's a lovely work.  :)

Starting off the day watching some of No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. the 'youngster' Sasha Zverev.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 16, 2021, 04:08:51 AM
Yes, that's a lovely work.  :)

Starting off the day watching some of No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. the 'youngster' Sasha Zverev.

PD

What do you think of another youngster, PD? Emma Raducanu, 18 and mixing with the best, clever with predicted multi A* GCSE's and pretty as a picture. The wonder of youth.

Quote from: Irons on July 03, 2021, 07:17:52 AM
What do you think of another youngster, PD? Emma Raducanu, 18 and mixing with the best, clever with predicted multi A* GCSE's and pretty as a picture. The wonder of youth.

I caught a tiny bit of her match today; she was off my radar before that.  Believe that she is the youngest British female player to make it into the second week of Wimbledon since, I want to say, sometime in the 1980's?  Really impressed by her focus...think that she's 18?  I did a very quick google of her after her match and found out that she was born in Toronto, Canada and moved to London when she was two.  Think that she'll go places.  :)

Here's a bit more about her here:  https://apnews.com/article/europe-wimbledon-tennis-sports-0a2f95d980edef84c575fac62e78c3c7

As far as youngsters goes, I've been keeping a sharp eye on the American Coco Gauff who has also been playing well at Wimbledon (her second time there).  She's 17 years old, very poised, focused and driven--and talented!  Seems to have a good head on her too.  :)

She'll be facing the accomplished German tennis player Angelique Kerber next who is a former No. 1 and a 3-time grand slam winner.

Currently watching Roger play.  He won the first two sets 6-4, 6-4 but is digging in harder in the third set.  Haven't been paying as close of attention as I should have been/be!  My bad!  :-[  Should look at the set stats.  Trying to also get some chores done and then need to run some errands.

Sorry to see Murray beaten yesterday.  Amazing fight from him to still want to play tennis after two hip surgeries!  And the grass at Wimbledon is slippery...easier to move on it during the second week (gets harder).

Best,

PD

p.s.  The crowd has been going crazy for Cameron Norrie (as much as a lot of them love Federer).  They're wanting to see it go the distance (best 3 out of 5 sets for the men; 2-3 for the women).  You guys really support your fellow British players!  :)

EDIT:  Suddenly it's Federer that's faltering.  Well done by him for taking the third set!

Quote from: Irons on July 03, 2021, 07:17:52 AM
What do you think of another youngster, PD? Emma Raducanu, 18 and mixing with the best, clever with predicted multi A* GCSE's and pretty as a picture. The wonder of youth.

You didn't ask me, but I think she has a spark of something very special about her, which I hope can grow into a flame. She seems remarkably relaxed and mature on court, and off it a very natural and likeable teenager. I thought she was amazing this afternoon, pulling off some astonishing shots, I couldn't tear myself away it.

Quote from: Iota on July 03, 2021, 10:05:41 AM
You didn't ask me, but I think she has a spark of something very special about her, which I hope can grow into a flame. She seems remarkably relaxed and mature on court, and off it a very natural and likeable teenager. I thought she was amazing this afternoon, pulling off some astonishing shots, I couldn't tear myself away it.

Nice to know that there's another tennis fan here!  I'll try and catch her next match when it comes up.  For Irons (and anyone else here who would like to know more about her, there's a nice article on the Wimbledon website):  https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2021-07-04/fearless_raducanu_has_her_feet_on_the_ground.html

Interesting:  I see that she is currently being coached by Nigel Sears who is Andy Murray's father-in-law (Kim Sears is his daughter).

Looks like she's third in line on Monday (Court 1).  Play starts there at 1 p.m. your time, so I'm guessing maybe 5 p.m. or later (which would be 1700 hours).  Just a guess as there's no predicting how long certain matches will last.

Who else are you fans of Iota?  :)

Best,

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 04, 2021, 04:13:48 AM
Nice to know that there's another tennis fan here!  I'll try and catch her next match when it comes up.  For Irons (and anyone else here who would like to know more about her, there's a nice article on the Wimbledon website):  https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2021-07-04/fearless_raducanu_has_her_feet_on_the_ground.html

Interesting:  I see that she is currently being coached by Nigel Sears who is Andy Murray's father-in-law (Kim Sears is his daughter).

Looks like she's third in line on Monday (Court 1).  Play starts there at 1 p.m. your time, so I'm guessing maybe 5 p.m. or later (which would be 1700 hours).  Just a guess as there's no predicting how long certain matches will last.

Who else are you fans of Iota?  :)

Best,

PD

I laughed during the interview, a Chinese mother, Romanian father and born in Canada when she said "I legged it" I knew she was one of ours.  ;D
Her next opponent Ajla Tomljanovic is quoted "She will definitely have the crowd" which my Sunday newspaper describes as the understatement of the fortnight. ;D 

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 04, 2021, 04:13:48 AM
Nice to know that there's another tennis fan here!  I'll try and catch her next match when it comes up.  For Irons (and anyone else here who would like to know more about her, there's a nice article on the Wimbledon website):  https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2021-07-04/fearless_raducanu_has_her_feet_on_the_ground.html

Interesting:  I see that she is currently being coached by Nigel Sears who is Andy Murray's father-in-law (Kim Sears is his daughter).

Looks like she's third in line on Monday (Court 1).  Play starts there at 1 p.m. your time, so I'm guessing maybe 5 p.m. or later (which would be 1700 hours).  Just a guess as there's no predicting how long certain matches will last.

Who else are you fans of Iota?  :)

Best,

PD

I'm really only an intermittent sports fan, PD, I dip into Wimbledon when it's on, maybe a few at Roland-Garros, and when something grabs my attention will stick with it. I'm a big fan of Roger Federer enchanted by the grace and dare I say it, the poetry of his playing. I loved John McEnroe when he was playing (like him as a pundit too, honest and amusing at times), Steffi Graf and Monica Seles spring to mind also, though there are number of others. Players who for me have a magnetic quality about them.

It would be great if Emma Raducanu could rise to their ranks, keeping her freshness and spontaneity about her.

Quote from: Irons on July 04, 2021, 06:05:32 AM
I laughed during the interview, a Chinese mother, Romanian father and born in Canada when she said "I legged it" I knew she was one of ours.  ;D
Her next opponent Ajla Tomljanovic is quoted "She will definitely have the crowd" which my Sunday newspaper describes as the understatement of the fortnight. ;D

Glad that you enjoyed it Irons.  :)

Hadn't heard that expression before.

Quote from: Iota on July 04, 2021, 06:42:48 AM
I'm really only an intermittent sports fan, PD, I dip into Wimbledon when it's on, maybe a few at Roland-Garros, and when something grabs my attention will stick with it. I'm a big fan of Roger Federer enchanted by the grace and dare I say it, the poetry of his playing. I loved John McEnroe when he was playing (like him as a pundit too, honest and amusing at times), Steffi Graf and Monica Seles spring to mind also, though there are number of others. Players who for me have a magnetic quality about them.

It would be great if Emma Raducanu could rise to their ranks, keeping her freshness and spontaneity about her.

You might appreciate this (bizarre but fun) interview at the Australian Open.  John McEnroe is interviewing Federer on court then Will Farrell interrupts to ask Roger some questions.  :D

And, yes, I wish the best for your Emma Raducanu.

PD

EDIT:  Whoops!  Sorry, I forgot to add the link.  It's here:  https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/will-ferrells-bizarre-roger-federer-interview/news-story/ecbdcf238a6cd8bd642a895ac3f413d6

Thanks, PD, will check out the bizarre-ness!

Quote from: Iota on July 04, 2021, 10:14:11 AM
Thanks, PD, will check out the bizarre-ness!

It's a short clip of the "interview" (which itself was short).  Apparently, Will Farrell reprised a role from a former movie that he was in (as a newscaster).  There's a bit more info in the article.   :)

PD

Quote from: Iota on July 04, 2021, 06:42:48 AM
I'm really only an intermittent sports fan, PD, I dip into Wimbledon when it's on, maybe a few at Roland-Garros, and when something grabs my attention will stick with it. I'm a big fan of Roger Federer enchanted by the grace and dare I say it, the poetry of his playing. I loved John McEnroe when he was playing (like him as a pundit too, honest and amusing at times), Steffi Graf and Monica Seles spring to mind also, though there are number of others. Players who for me have a magnetic quality about them.

It would be great if Emma Raducanu could rise to their ranks, keeping her freshness and spontaneity about her.

Her success has, so far, been rather overshadowed by the unlikely progress of the England football team but I hope that she continues to do well.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 04, 2021, 12:01:05 PM
Her success has, so far, been rather overshadowed by the unlikely progress of the England football team but I hope that she continues to do well.

Well Jeffrey, that's horrible!  I do understand how important a sport that football is in not only the UK, but Europe and the rest of the world, but it shouldn't be compared nor undervalued.  There are a ton of tennis fans out there and by the way, I've read a whole lot of reports in the news over the years as to what Judy Murray has done for girls re tennis...tennis/kids, tennis/Scotland and she's raised amazing boys who totally value women in sports and not just sports!

Sorry, not trying to dismiss football, but there are also a lot of people out there in the world who care about other sports (possibly in addition to football)....and girls do matter (as I'm sure that you would agree).  And how many, care about women's football teams?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 04, 2021, 12:14:53 PM
Well Jeffrey, that's horrible!  I do understand how important a sport that football is in not only the UK, but Europe and the rest of the world, but it shouldn't be compared nor undervalued.  There are a ton of tennis fans out there and by the way, I've read a whole lot of reports in the news over the years as to what Judy Murray has done for girls re tennis...tennis/kids, tennis/Scotland and she's raised amazing boys who totally value women in sports and not just sports!

Sorry, not trying to dismiss football, but there are also a lot of people out there in the world who care about other sports (possibly in addition to football)....and girls do matter (as I'm sure that you would agree).  And how many, care about women's football teams?

PD

Tennis usually gets a lot of coverage here PD and Women's football an increasing amount.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 04, 2021, 02:10:37 PM
Tennis usually gets a lot of coverage here PD and Women's football an increasing amount.

Good to hear--about both!  :)

Today is Manic Monday....yippee!  How to keep up with it though?!  ???  Last year of it sadly as next year they will be dropping the tradition of mid-Sunday break (rest day).

PD

Amazing run so far for the Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabur.  She just took out Iga Swiatek--the young Polish player who won the French Open in 2020.  She (Jabur) is the first Arab tennis player and Tunisian to have made it so far into a slam; she's now on to the quarterfinals.  I really felt for her during her last round.  She was going to serve out the match and apparently nerves got the best of her and she ended up, er, vomiting before she served to close out the match.  Poor thing!  :(  But, she made it on through to the second week of Wimbledon and is now into the quarters.  Well done by her!

Novak has almost closed out his match in three sets against the Chilean Garin, so I expect to see Coco Gauff and Angelique Kerber up soon  That should be a good one to watch!

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 04, 2021, 12:14:53 PM
Well Jeffrey, that's horrible!  I do understand how important a sport that football is in not only the UK, but Europe and the rest of the world, but it shouldn't be compared nor undervalued.  There are a ton of tennis fans out there and by the way, I've read a whole lot of reports in the news over the years as to what Judy Murray has done for girls re tennis...tennis/kids, tennis/Scotland and she's raised amazing boys who totally value women in sports and not just sports!

Sorry, not trying to dismiss football, but there are also a lot of people out there in the world who care about other sports (possibly in addition to football)....and girls do matter (as I'm sure that you would agree).  And how many, care about women's football teams?

PD

Wall to wall Wimbledon here PD. As I type this coverage on both BBC 1 & 2. As for football if England were to get past Denmark then the nation will come to a standstill at 8pm next Sunday. As a nation we love sport but unfortunately for the most part we are not very good at it, so when someone comes along like Andy Murray or a decent football team we tend to go a little silly.

Quote from: Irons on July 05, 2021, 07:02:03 AM
Wall to wall Wimbledon here PD. As I type this coverage on both BBC 1 & 2. As for football if England were to get past Denmark then the nation will come to a standstill at 8pm next Sunday. As a nation we love sport but unfortunately for the most part we are not very good at it, so when someone comes along like Andy Murray or a decent football team we tend to go a little silly.

I'm not at all surprised that the BBC has two channels for Wimbledon!   After all, it could be easily argued that it's tennis' biggest slam.  ;D  Do they have nearly as much coverage on t.v. when it's one of the other grand slams?  I expect not.  And you do have many wonderful sports players!  Don't be so modest!

I'll give you a heads up here when it looks like Raducanu will be coming up soon.  I suspect that I'll be going between her match and Roger's.  A bit crazed here at the moment--trying to clean, do laundry, etc.  A friend might be joining me for an early dinner later...and to watch Roger (not certain yet).   In any event, stuff needs to get done!  ::)

PD

Raducanu alert!!  The men's match just before her (on Court 1) has just finished and they are doing a quick on-court interview with Felix Auger-Aliassime the Canadian winner.

I'm guessing about 15 minutes before Raducanu's match starts.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 05, 2021, 10:49:22 AM
Raducanu alert!!  The men's match just before her (on Court 1) has just finished and they are doing a quick on-court interview with Felix Auger-Aliassime the Canadian winner.

I'm guessing about 15 minutes before Raducanu's match starts.

PD

I'm not a great tennis fan but was enjoying Raducanu's game yesterday when she went off the court and did not return. I feel v sorry for her. John McEnroe (whom I couldn't stand in his youth but whom I rather like now) has come in for a lot of criticism for suggesting that she 'bottled it' but, I have to say, my first thought on hearing that she was suffering from breathing difficulties was that she was having a panic attack - I hope that she is ok and comes back from this stronger.

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 05, 2021, 10:49:22 AM
Raducanu alert!!  The men's match just before her (on Court 1) has just finished and they are doing a quick on-court interview with Felix Auger-Aliassime the Canadian winner.

I'm guessing about 15 minutes before Raducanu's match starts.

PD

Thanks for heads-up PD. ;) Your feller did rather well didn't he!

Obviously something not right with Raducanu. Her father is hinting she had breathing difficulties which was down to nerves. Riding a crest of a wave with all the media pressure piled onto her young shoulders she came up against a very good streetwise opponent and was all too much.   

Yes, I can only imagine that she was probably starting to have (not certain of the difference between) a panic or anxiety attack, but only she and her team know for certain.  Hope that she finds a way to deal with whatever the issue is.  She certainly is talented!  All the best wishes for her and her team.  And what a great run for her at Wimbledon and at her young age.  Hope that she focuses on that rather than not having gone further there.

Roger on through to the quarters.  Must admit, he's going to have to raise his level back to or closer to his 'normal' Federer-self is he's going to continue on there much further.  He's had an awkward/rough road back after being out for about 2 years due to two knee surgeries, the pandemic, and not getting in many tennis matches before Wimbledon plus, ageless as he seems, he is getting older and it takes longer to recover after matches vs. the young ones.  Still experience and having a full 'bag of tricks' to draw from matters--a lot!

Fingers crossed for him,

PD

EDIT:  By the way, any fans of Ash Barty here?  I've been quite impressed by not only her playing but also of her composure and attitude towards the sport and her fellow players.  Very talented--not just in tennis but also in cricket.  An amazing story.  You can read some of it here:  https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jun/23/i-thought-that-was-it-why-ash-barty-almost-gave-up-tennis-for-good

The fact that Raducanu has panic attacks actually makes me like her a bit more. If that makes me weird, so be it!

Quote from: Iota on July 07, 2021, 05:09:53 AM
The fact that Raducanu has panic attacks actually makes me like her a bit more. If that makes me weird, so be it!

Me too. Nice of Rashford to send her a message saying the same thing happened to him playing for England juniors and has not occurred since.

Her PR team have probably earned her an extra few £million telling her to do interviews in a three lions England footy shirt. 

Quote from: Irons on July 07, 2021, 07:04:20 AM
Me too. Nice of Rashford to send her a message saying the same thing happened to him playing for England juniors and has not occurred since.

Her PR team have probably earned her an extra few £million telling her to do interviews in a three lions England footy shirt.

;D

Roger up in a few minutes (Novak on through in three sets; no surprise there!).  Went to the grocery store early while it was still cool.  Am trying to figure out how I am going to make all of the dishes that I want to today whilst still catching his match.   :-[ :-\  Ack!

PD

Roger, for some reason, did not perform at near his best today and was therefore dutifully dispatched by the better player on court today.

Quote from: aligreto on July 07, 2021, 09:57:42 AM
Roger, for some reason, did not perform at near his best today and was therefore dutifully dispatched by the better player on court today.

Hard to watch here.  All credit to Hurkacz to keep his cool and stay focused and play well--particularly on Centre Court with most of the folks cheering for Roger.  Roger had been struggling throughout the tournament, to be honest, with some glimpses of his old self shining through at times.  Apparently, next step is to reassess things with his team and figure out where to go from here.  In any event, as you said, Hurkacz was definitely the better player today, so I wish him well in his next round(s).  :)

PD

Even great sportspeople need match practice and that has been missing for Federer in a big way for obvious reasons. He did extremely well to get to where was in this tournament but at some stage even pure instinct is not enough.
I wonder will he play the US Open? That surface may well be too hard for those recovering knees.

Yes, will watch Hurkacz with interest.

Quote from: aligreto on July 08, 2021, 02:09:04 AM
Even great sportspeople need match practice and that has been missing for Federer in a big way for obvious reasons. He did extremely well to get to where was in this tournament but at some stage even pure instinct is not enough.
I wonder will he play the US Open? That surface may well be too hard for those recovering knees.

Yes, will watch Hurkacz with interest.

Yes, I knew that he had been trying to get some *matches in prior to Wimbledon--unfortunately, he was beaten in the early rounds of the few previous events that he had entered (with the exception of RG from which he pulled out after, I believe, it was the third round).   :(  No idea what he'll decide to do; he mentioned yesterday during the post-match press interview that he didn't know yet and need to talk to his team about things and where to do from here.  And, yes, I agree with you that he did really well to make it to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

I do hope that he does decide to play on.  It didn't sound like he was ready to give up tennis--despite the disappointment and yesterday's results.  Yesterday was hard enough to watch and hearing repeated conversations by various commentators didn't help my mood.  It will truly be a sad day for all tennis fans when he does decide to retire.

*which as a Federer fan, I faithfully watched.  ;)

PD

Pretty cool to see Ash Barty into the Wimbledon final.  There hasn't been an Australian woman there since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.  I imagine also that Australian tennis fans were pumped about there having been an all-Australian quarter final there too (vs. Tomljanovic).  Barty will be playing the veteran Czech player Karolina Plishkova in the final.

Further thoughts regarding Federer and his near-term tennis path:  I suspect that he will skip the Tokyo Olympics and play either the Citi Open (in Washington, DC) or the what used to be called the Roger's Cup in Canada, followed by the Western & Southern Open (in Cincinnati, OH), followed by the US Open (in New York).  Just my thoughts....

PD

And the women are on court for their final; Ash Barty vs. Karolina Plishkova.

Eating my strawberries, but no cream--some yogurt along with blueberries instead.  :)

Enjoy!

PD

Pleased to see Ash Barty win Wimbledon.  She won it on the 50th anniversary of her fellow countrywoman's first victory there too.  Apparently, Evonne Goolagong has become something of a mentor to Ash too.  Ashleigh had an idea to honor her by wearing a version of EG's famous scallop tennis dress, but called her first to see how Goolagong felt about it (She was thrilled.).

Did feel rather badly for Karolina Plishkova today for although she has reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings (and also has consistently stayed in the top rankings), she has yet to win a slam (been to the finals of various slams a number of times too).

PD

Started watching the Djokovich/Berrettini final but the crowd seem so obviously biased towards Berrettini it made me feel a bit awkward watching. For someone of such stature in the game it somehow seems a bit of an injustice, and in such a cauldron as Centre Court it must even seem a bit personal at times. So just dipping in for now.

I'm a big fan of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

I can't claim the same for Djokovic. Something about him that has always rubbed me the wrong way. His air (hint of arrogance, attitude, not so humble nature). Undoubtedly one of the greatest tennis talents of all time, I can fully admit to that.

I congratulate him on tying Federer and Nadal.

Andy Murray vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas warming up on court now.  Rough draw for the first round at the US Open.

PD

Impressive start by Murray:  6-2 vs. Tsitsipas in first set (out of best of five).  The veteran is showing his skills, knowledge, and experience--and after two hip replacement surgeries...amazing.

PD

Thrilling match between Murray and Tsitsipas which went to five sets.  Did anyone else here catch it?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 31, 2021, 06:05:29 AM
Thrilling match between Murray and Tsitsipas which went to five sets.  Did anyone else here catch it?

PD

PD, I would be interested to hear your view on the "toilet break" row. Not just tennis but all sport, are manoeuvres like this fair game or cheating?

Quote from: Irons on September 01, 2021, 07:48:51 AM
PD, I would be interested to hear your view on the "toilet break" row. Not just tennis but all sport, are manoeuvres like this fair game or cheating?

Hi Irons,

Well, you asked for my totally inexpert opinions and knowledge of the rules, but I'll try!

This can give you some kind of idea as to the mixed views of the rules in tennis:  https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/bathroom-stall-tennis-toilet-break-talk-swirls-flush-79754222

Another article to give you some more food for thought:  https://africa.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/32120951/alexander-zverev-shares-frustration-fellow-tennis-star-stefano-tsitsipas-long-bathroom-breaks

Tuesday during pre-slam tennis commentary, the commentators (some of whom had been professional tennis players including grand slam champions) threw out this question to Dominic Thiem (a contemporary player in his early 20's who can't play at the US Open this year due to a wrist injury.  He's actually the defending champion as he won it last).  They all talked about it.  The general consensus was that 5 minutes would be a reasonable amount of time to change clothing and use the toilet if needed.  Mind you, from what I understand, the outer courts can be much further away from facilities....so, how do you figure out the time there?  Maybe once from when you arrive at the facilities?  Or allow a couple more minutes?

In any event, Murray (who I believe is currently on the players' council) said that they've been arguing about this for years.  My understanding is that according to the tennis rules they stipulate that a reasonable amount of time is allowed.  Player cannot receive any coaching during the break.  Men are given two breaks (since they play best 3/5 sets) and women get 1.  Players do get really "soggy" (particularly at the US Open which is normally very hot and very humid) and they do hydrate a lot.  The rules though as far as I understand it as to when they can take their breaks aren't the strictest....which I think is also a big part of the question.  Some players have been accused of deliberately taking their breaks right when their opponent is on a roll which then messes with the opponent's mindset and body.  And in these days of cell phones, how do you know if they aren't quietly texting their coach whilst they are changing too?

It does appear to me that it is often used as a way to find out a way to compose yourself and regroup--and often at the expense of your opponent and that they do need to get stricter with the time rules and also as to when you can take those breaks.  Perhaps also require the players to either check-in their cell phones and smart watches before the matches?  There have been gripes from some players too re medical timeouts being used to also buy some time, etc., but that's a much harder issue to debate (like how do you know how much pain someone is really experiencing?).

Thoughts from you Irons?

EDIT:  Checking a bit further into it, my initial thoughts that they were only allowed (at least at slams) to take bathroom breaks is after a set, which I believe is correct.  I had read another article which threw me whilst looking into this a bit further.  See page 20 & 21 here.  This is from the 2020 ITF rules book (the ITF deals with the slams).  https://www.itftennis.com/media/2495/grand-slam-rulebook-2020-f.pdf  My understanding is that it can vary between different events depending upon which organization is in charge.  They really need to standardize things!  My opinion anyway.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 01, 2021, 09:39:49 AM
Hi Irons,

Well, you asked for my totally inexpert opinions and knowledge of the rules, but I'll try!

This can give you some kind of idea as to the mixed views of the rules in tennis:  https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/bathroom-stall-tennis-toilet-break-talk-swirls-flush-79754222

Another article to give you some more food for thought:  https://africa.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/32120951/alexander-zverev-shares-frustration-fellow-tennis-star-stefano-tsitsipas-long-bathroom-breaks

Tuesday during pre-slam tennis commentary, the commentators (some of whom had been professional tennis players including grand slam champions) threw out this question to Dominic Thiem (a contemporary player in his early 20's who can't play at the US Open this year due to a wrist injury.  He's actually the defending champion as he won it last).  They all talked about it.  The general consensus was that 5 minutes would be a reasonable amount of time to change clothing and use the toilet if needed.  Mind you, from what I understand, the outer courts can be much further away from facilities....so, how do you figure out the time there?  Maybe once from when you arrive at the facilities?  Or allow a couple more minutes?

In any event, Murray (who I believe is currently on the players' council) said that they've been arguing about this for years.  My understanding is that according to the tennis rules they stipulate that a reasonable amount of time is allowed.  Player cannot receive any coaching during the break.  Men are given two breaks (since they play best 3/5 sets) and women get 1.  Players do get really "soggy" (particularly at the US Open which is normally very hot and very humid) and they do hydrate a lot.  The rules though as far as I understand it as to when they can take their breaks aren't the strictest....which I think is also a big part of the question.  Some players have been accused of deliberately taking their breaks right when their opponent is on a roll which then messes with the opponent's mindset and body.  And in these days of cell phones, how do you know if they aren't quietly texting their coach whilst they are changing too?

It does appear to me that it is often used as a way to find out a way to compose yourself and regroup--and often at the expense of your opponent and that they do need to get stricter with the time rules and also as to when you can take those breaks.  Perhaps also require the players to either check-in their cell phones and smart watches before the matches?  There have been gripes from some players too re medical timeouts being used to also buy some time, etc., but that's a much harder issue to debate (like how do you know how much pain someone is really experiencing?).

Thoughts from you Irons?

EDIT:  Checking a bit further into it, my initial thoughts that they were only allowed (at least at slams) to take bathroom breaks is after a set, which I believe is correct.  I had read another article which threw me whilst looking into this a bit further.  See page 20 & 21 here.  This is from the 2020 ITF rules book (the ITF deals with the slams).  https://www.itftennis.com/media/2495/grand-slam-rulebook-2020-f.pdf  My understanding is that it can vary between different events depending upon which organization is in charge.  They really need to standardize things!  My opinion anyway.

PD

Looks pretty expert to me, PD. :) "Contacting the coach during the match" I had not thought of that.
You have summed it up perfectly. I know Murray was upset but he lost a long hard match so he would be anyway. Cynic I am, I have two thoughts. It is perfectly possible to follow the rules and cheat at the same time. If Tsitsipas didn't take a leak then that is abusing the rule book not following it - of course we will never know which.
Secondly, In my experience, I played a lot of Squash in my younger days, the last thing a body needs during strenuous exercise is the toilet!

Quote from: Irons on September 01, 2021, 11:33:40 PM
Looks pretty expert to me, PD. :) "Contacting the coach during the match" I had not thought of that.
You have summed it up perfectly. I know Murray was upset but he lost a long hard match so he would be anyway. Cynic I am, I have two thoughts. It is perfectly possible to follow the rules and cheat at the same time. If Tsitsipas didn't take a leak then that is abusing the rule book not following it - of course we will never know which.
Secondly, In my experience, I played a lot of Squash in my younger days, the last thing a body needs during strenuous exercise is the toilet!

Perhaps I'm not following you Irons?  The ITF (International Tennis Federation) states that "A player may request permission to leave the court for a reasonable time for a toilet break, a change of attire break, or both, but for no other reason."  Tsitsipas certainly did change at least some of his clothes (didn't study things that hard!) and wasn't in there for like 20 minutes (unlike some of the protestations), so as far as anyone knows, he didn't break any rules.  And, to be fair to him, he's not the only one who has used the available rules to possibly help him more than was intended to.  You should check out a couple of tweets by *Tracy Austin (see August 31st):  https://twitter.com/thetracyaustin  She has some great ideas!  :)

They can easily get really drenched playing on court.  Murray was having some problems because he had only brought one pair of sneakers and they got drenched.  He actually fell on court slipping on his own sweat!  That upset him too.  Not saying that you didn't work up a sweat playing squash.   ;)  I suspect that in your day, you probably also weren't drinking as much water and specialized sports drinks as they do these days?  I've seen players go through muscle cramping and it looks so incredibly painful.  My understanding is that it's a combo of fitness and being able to stay hydrated.  Some of the men's matches have gone for up to five hours!  That's a lot of constant running around and with very short breaks.

*What do you think of her suggestions?  :)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 02, 2021, 02:45:43 AM
Perhaps I'm not following you Irons?  The ITF (International Tennis Federation) states that "A player may request permission to leave the court for a reasonable time for a toilet break, a change of attire break, or both, but for no other reason."  Tsitsipas certainly did change at least some of his clothes (didn't study things that hard!) and wasn't in there for like 20 minutes (unlike some of the protestations), so as far as anyone knows, he didn't break any rules.  And, to be fair to him, he's not the only one who has used the available rules to possibly help him more than was intended to.  You should check out a couple of tweets by *Tracy Austin (see August 31st):  https://twitter.com/thetracyaustin  She has some great ideas!  :)

They can easily get really drenched playing on court.  Murray was having some problems because he had only brought one pair of sneakers and they got drenched.  He actually fell on court slipping on his own sweat!  That upset him too.  Not saying that you didn't work up a sweat playing squash.   ;)  I suspect that in your day, you probably also weren't drinking as much water and specialized sports drinks as they do these days?  I've seen players go through muscle cramping and it looks so incredibly painful.  My understanding is that it's a combo of fitness and being able to stay hydrated.  Some of the men's matches have gone for up to five hours!  That's a lot of constant running around and with very short breaks.

*What do you think of her suggestions?  :)

PD

Your knowledge of the sport is much greater then mine, PD. As you well know I don't carry a torch for Andy Murray. But he has not struck me as the type who cries foul over the years when losing a match. I think maybe you are not following me as my point is not that the other guy is not following the rules, he plainly is. But is he bending the rules for his own advantage. Timing is all, is a change of shorts necessary or by interrupting the match is advantage gained? You watched the match, I didn't. What do you think?

Quote from: Irons on September 02, 2021, 07:10:20 AM
Your knowledge of the sport is much greater then mine, PD. As you well know I don't carry a torch for Andy Murray. But he has not struck me as the type who cries foul over the years when losing a match. I think maybe you are not following me as my point is not that the other guy is not following the rules, he plainly is. But is he bending the rules for his own advantage. Timing is all, is a change of shorts necessary or by interrupting the match is advantage gained? You watched the match, I didn't. What do you think?

O.k., I thought that I was following you, but wasn't totally certain about what you had meant which is why I brought up the fact that one can leave the court for either a bathroom break or to change clothes or both.  And also that unlike Andy saying (to the effect) that he was gone for 20 minutes that it was much shorter amount of a time--though again, I still think too long of a time.  Yes, I do think that he (Tsitsipas) was taking advantage of the rules.  Did you read those two Twitter postings on Tracy Austin's Twitter account that I had provided a link to Irons?  Thought that her comments/suggestions were on the money.  Her first one on August 31, 2021:  "Solution for lengthy bathroom breaks needs to be addressed.1. Give sliding hard time limit depending on distance to bathroom. Main court-outside court? 2. Not back in time-point penalty or opponent gets to talk to coach in the overtime. That should curb excessive timeout."

Her second tweet in which she was replying to someone (see below):  "I dislike on-court coaching as has been documented.But threat of coaching might be only way to curb LONG,"change of momentum", "gather my thoughts"timeouts. Offending player might think twice going overtime.Bathroom,change of attire legal-it's repeat offenders who make it problem
Quote Tweet

Chris Gollop
@ChrisRGollop
· Aug 31
Replying to @thetracyaustin
Really interesting proposal, introducing the option of the waiting player on court being allowed to engage with their coach until the absent player returns. Still not ideal as don't like idea of on court coaching as such, but worth a discussion. 8 minutes?! Bad look for tennis.Slightly frowning face

As far as Tracy Austin goes (if her name isn't familiar to you), as she describes herself on Twitter:  "Former world #1, 2-time US Open Champion, Broadcaster, Proud mom of 3 boys.  Instagram: tracyaustin_"

Personally, I think that one of the biggest issues is that they need to come up with time limits and figure out ways of deterring people who are taking advantage of the rules...which, as Andy had mentioned in his post-match interview is something that they've been talking about for a long time.   ::)

So, wonder whether or not your Raducanu is still in the mix?  I believe so!  :)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 02, 2021, 07:34:29 AM
O.k., I thought that I was following you, but wasn't totally certain about what you had meant which is why I brought up the fact that one can leave the court for either a bathroom break or to change clothes or both.  And also that unlike Andy saying (to the effect) that he was gone for 20 minutes that it was much shorter amount of a time--though again, I still think too long of a time.  Yes, I do think that he (Tsitsipas) was taking advantage of the rules.  Did you read those two Twitter postings on Tracy Austin's Twitter account that I had provided a link to Irons?  Thought that her comments/suggestions were on the money.  Her first one on August 31, 2021:  "Solution for lengthy bathroom breaks needs to be addressed.1. Give sliding hard time limit depending on distance to bathroom. Main court-outside court? 2. Not back in time-point penalty or opponent gets to talk to coach in the overtime. That should curb excessive timeout."

Her second tweet in which she was replying to someone (see below):  "I dislike on-court coaching as has been documented.But threat of coaching might be only way to curb LONG,"change of momentum", "gather my thoughts"timeouts. Offending player might think twice going overtime.Bathroom,change of attire legal-it's repeat offenders who make it problem
Quote Tweet

Chris Gollop
@ChrisRGollop
· Aug 31
Replying to @thetracyaustin
Really interesting proposal, introducing the option of the waiting player on court being allowed to engage with their coach until the absent player returns. Still not ideal as don't like idea of on court coaching as such, but worth a discussion. 8 minutes?! Bad look for tennis.Slightly frowning face

As far as Tracy Austin goes (if her name isn't familiar to you), as she describes herself on Twitter:  "Former world #1, 2-time US Open Champion, Broadcaster, Proud mom of 3 boys.  Instagram: tracyaustin_"

Personally, I think that one of the biggest issues is that they need to come up with time limits and figure out ways of deterring people who are taking advantage of the rules...which, as Andy had mentioned in his post-match interview is something that they've been talking about for a long time.   ::)

So, wonder whether or not your Raducanu is still in the mix?  I believe so!  :)

PD

I did not make myself clear, PD. My thinking on this is more on general terms not this particular tennis match. My question is was Murray's opponent following the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. I think it was this that annoyed Murray so much. Looking from afar I get the impression there is a good level of sportsmanship in professional tennis. Perhaps in this case Tsitspas didn't show it.   

Happens in all sport. If a footballer is fouled in the penalty box, invariably if he stays on his feet a penalty is not given and if he goes down it is. The stage has been reached when players fling themselves to the floor without being fouled and players who are manage to stay on their feet are roundly criticised. 

Quote from: Irons on September 03, 2021, 12:22:46 AM
I did not make myself clear, PD. My thinking on this is more on general terms not this particular tennis match. My question is was Murray's opponent following the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. I think it was this that annoyed Murray so much. Looking from afar I get the impression there is a good level of sportsmanship in professional tennis. Perhaps in this case Tsitspas didn't show it.   

Happens in all sport. If a footballer is fouled in the penalty box, invariably if he stays on his feet a penalty is not given and if he goes down it is. The stage has been reached when players fling themselves to the floor without being fouled and players who are manage to stay on their feet are roundly criticised.

Yes, I think that he was not following the spirit of the law.  Andy, obviously, thought that too which was why he kept asking the chair umpire during the match what he thought about the extended break and if he thought that it was right.  Also, his comments in the post-match press interview about how he had lost respect for Tsitsipas.

I do think that there are ways to curb the abuse of the spirit of the law though as I mentioned previously.

Regarding football, yes I've seen some footage of the diving and arguments by the commentators over whether or not they thought that a penalty should have been given out, etc.  Sadly, there will always be those who will try and abuse the system.   >:( :(

Speaking of abuse, I felt for Novak.  I didn't manage to catch his match last night, but looking at the news this morning, it seems that he was repeatedly heckled for a time during his match against the Dutchman Griekspoor.  At 4-2 in the second set (He, Novak, had won the first set and was ahead in the second) and he was just about to hit an overhead smash when someone called out (which threw him off and he missed the shot and ended up losing that game).  This person (a man) apparently did that repeatedly whenever Novak was playing at the spectator's end of the court.  Eventually, Novak had had enough of it and complained to the chair umpire to say something to the crowd.  Tennis is such an individual sport and that spectator was purposefully trying to distract him by calling out just before he was going to make contact with the ball.  I'm rather surprised that they didn't escort the spectator out.  He apparently shut up after being addressed by the umpire.  The players are used to the crowd making noises, but deliberately trying to hinder a player is a big "No-No".  I might be able to catch some of the repeat showing of the match this morning.

Great Britain's Raducanu and Evans are still alive and into Round 3.   :)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 03, 2021, 03:09:45 AM
Yes, I think that he was not following the spirit of the law.  Andy, obviously, thought that too which was why he kept asking the chair umpire during the match what he thought about the extended break and if he thought that it was right.  Also, his comments in the post-match press interview about how he had lost respect for Tsitsipas.

I do think that there are ways to curb the abuse of the spirit of the law though as I mentioned previously.

Regarding football, yes I've seen some footage of the diving and arguments by the commentators over whether or not they thought that a penalty should have been given out, etc.  Sadly, there will always be those who will try and abuse the system.   >:( :(

Speaking of abuse, I felt for Novak.  I didn't manage to catch his match last night, but looking at the news this morning, it seems that he was repeatedly heckled for a time during his match against the Dutchman Griekspoor.  At 4-2 in the second set (He, Novak, had won the first set and was ahead in the second) and he was just about to hit an overhead smash when someone called out (which threw him off and he missed the shot and ended up losing that game).  This person (a man) apparently did that repeatedly whenever Novak was playing at the spectator's end of the court.  Eventually, Novak had had enough of it and complained to the chair umpire to say something to the crowd.  Tennis is such an individual sport and that spectator was purposefully trying to distract him by calling out just before he was going to make contact with the ball.  I'm rather surprised that they didn't escort the spectator out.  He apparently shut up after being addressed by the umpire.  The players are used to the crowd making noises, but deliberately trying to hinder a player is a big "No-No".  I might be able to catch some of the repeat showing of the match this morning.

Great Britain's Raducanu and Evans are still alive and into Round 3.   :)

PD

Not as bad as a *minority* of Hungarian fans making monkey noises at England's black footballers last night. :(

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/16037524/england-knee-booed-hungary-sterling-bellingham-monkey-chants/

Quote from: Irons on September 03, 2021, 07:08:48 AM
Not as bad as a *minority* of Hungarian fans making monkey noises at England's black footballers last night. :(

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/16037524/england-knee-booed-hungary-sterling-bellingham-monkey-chants/

That's horrible!!!  Did they (the powers-that-be) do anything to the fans who were doing that?  Any ramifications for their conduct?

PD

p.s.  And I think that I might have been wrong (judging by what I saw and what the commentators were saying); it appears that the chair umpire did nothing regarding the spectator who was repeatedly trying to interfere with Novak's match.  I hope that I'm wrong there.

Irons,

Your Raducanu and my Shelby Rogers will be playing each other in the Round of 16 (the fourth round) on Monday!

Shelby beat the No. 1 ranked Ash Barty last night (coming back from a 5-2 lead by her opponent in the third set to beat her in a tiebreak).  She had lost to Barty in her last four (and only) matches against her.

There was also another big upset two nights ago which you might have heard of:  the young 18-year old Spanish player Alcaraz won his biggest match against the No. 3 ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas!  That was one heck of a match!  It was a 5-setter too so will be interesting to see how he recovers.

Anyway, hope that you can watch the Raducanu vs. Rogers match.  :)

PD

p.s.  By the way, Shelby R. is the last American woman standing.  Also, your Dan Evans will be playing the No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev today (sometime after noontime EST.  There's a woman's match before theirs which starts at noon here...so maybe starting around 2:30 EST?).

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 05, 2021, 05:06:37 AM
Irons,

Your Raducanu and my Shelby Rogers will be playing each other in the Round of 16 (the fourth round) on Monday!

Shelby beat the No. 1 ranked Ash Barty last night (coming back from a 5-2 lead by her opponent in the third set to beat her in a tiebreak).  She had lost to Barty in her last four (and only) matches against her.

There was also another big upset two nights ago which you might have heard of:  the young 18-year old Spanish player Alcaraz won his biggest match against the No. 3 ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas!  That was one heck of a match!  It was a 5-setter too so will be interesting to see how he recovers.

Anyway, hope that you can watch the Raducanu vs. Rogers match.  :)

PD

p.s.  By the way, Shelby R. is the last American woman standing.  Also, your Dan Evans will be playing the No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev today (sometime after noontime EST.  There's a woman's match before theirs which starts at noon here...so maybe starting around 2:30 EST?).

Dan Evans will be wipe out. Never heard of the guy - I have now. Lamb to slaughter methinks.

Pleased Tsitsipas got beat but not half as much as Murray.

Love to watch R v R match but not getting up in the middle of the night to do so. I know I can rely on you for an unbiased account of the action as you are a honorary Brit. ;) 

Quote from: Irons on September 05, 2021, 06:03:49 AM

Love to watch R v R match but not getting up in the middle of the night to do so. I know I can rely on you for an unbiased account of the action as you are a honorary Brit. ;)

Well, they haven't announced the schedule lineup for tomorrow but tennis does start as early as 11 a.m. (looking at the tournament schedule for Monday).  As there is a five hour time difference between you and me, the ladies' match could start as early as 4 p.m. your time.   :)  Or possibly, if it's the last night match, you might be able to catch the end of it depending upon how early you get up.  If nothing else, I imagine that they will be showing highlights from the match (you can also check out the US Open page = https://2021.usopen.org  ).  Not that I'm trying to get you addicted to another sport!  :D

And regarding your second/third comments:  I am truly honored!  :laugh:  :)

In any event, I'll make a mental note to let you know the schedule and to give you a heads up (if at all possible when it's just about to start--I may be out running some quick errands).

PD

Irons,

O.k., so here's the news (typing this early Monday morning, so pardon any typos):

First up at noon in Arthur Ashe Stadium will be Zverev vs. Sinner (men's match so it could go up to 5 sets).  Could go anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 5.  I'm guessing about 3 hours....this is presuming that there is no retirement due to injury.

Next up (same court) will be Rogers vs. Raducanu.  Note:  their match is still part of the daytime session, so no need to usher out day crowd, have dinner break and then get in nighttime crowd.

So, noon is 5 p.m. your time--or should I say 1700 hours?  So, depending upon your evening plans and bedtime, there's a good chance that you could possibly watch some if not all of their match?  And remember that the women's is the best 2 out of 3 matches  whereas the men's is the best 3 out of 5.

PD

Irons,

So did you--or anyone else here--watch the Raducanu vs. Rogers watch?  I had hoped that it would be a much better of a match than it was.  Shelby was just "flat" which often happens after a big victory in their previous match (She took out No. 1 ranked Ash Barty which was a huge win for her.  To give you an idea, going into the US Open, Shelby was ranked No. 55). 

*Raducanu overcame a shaky start and her confidence increased and her performance continually improved throughout the match whilst Rogers, sadly, was struggling making errors upon errors with some occasional glimmers as to how well she can play.  :(

In any event, Emma has much to be proud of.  Considering her very short WTA professional career, she's already made huge strides...came through the qualifying and is now into the quarter finals at the US Open.  :)  Well done to her!   :)  And good for her parents who apparently insisted that she finish at a normal school and not go diving into professional tennis straight away.

*Here are some of the stats from the WTA's website; they're much better at analyzing things than I am! lol

Stat corner: 150th-ranked Raducanu's rise has come at the expense of numerous experienced, highly-ranked players: with her victory over World No.43 Rogers, she has earned her third straight win over a Top 50 player this week. She is now 5-0 against Top 50 opposition in her career.

Raducanu's victories this week have also been straightforward: she has not dropped a set in any of her three victories in qualifying and her four main-draw wins. The British teen has dropped a mere 15 games in her four main-draw matches.

Against Rogers, Raducanu played her powerful game with precision, out-winnering hard-hitting Rogers by 18 to 14, while also keeping her unforced error count low, with just 14 miscues. Rogers, on the other hand, was undone by 29 unforced errors.

Raducanu was also rampant on return, claiming 61 percent of points off of the Rogers service. That allowed her to convert five of her nine break points in the affair, booking a place in the first Tour-level quarterfinal of her career.

PD

EDIT:  Catching some of the (repeat) match of the 20 year old Jenson Brooksby vs. Novak; seriously impressed by this young man!  Took the opening set 6-1 and gave Novak a serious run in the second (haven't watched any of the other sets...at least yet) battling back again and again as in "Advantage Djokovic"/back to 40-40/"Advantage Brooksby", etc.  :)  I'd heard talk of him before by the commentators, but hadn't seen him ever play.  I'm expecting to see great things from him.  Currently ranked No. 99 but that doesn't include the results from him for this week.

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 07, 2021, 03:32:49 AM
Irons,

So did you--or anyone else here--watch the Raducanu vs. Rogers watch?  I had hoped that it would be a much better of a match than it was.  Shelby was just "flat" which often happens after a big victory in their previous match (She took out No. 1 ranked Ash Barty which was a huge win for her.  To give you an idea, going into the US Open, Shelby was ranked No. 55). 

*Raducanu overcame a shaky start and her confidence increased and her performance continually improved throughout the match whilst Rogers, sadly, was struggling making errors upon errors with some occasional glimmers as to how well she can play.  :(

In any event, Emma has much to be proud of.  Considering her very short WTA professional career, she's already made huge strides...came through the qualifying and is now into the quarter finals at the US Open.  :)  Well done to her!   :)  And good for her parents who apparently insisted that she finish at a normal school and not go diving into professional tennis straight away.

*Here are some of the stats from the WTA's website; they're much better at analyzing things than I am! lol

Stat corner: 150th-ranked Raducanu's rise has come at the expense of numerous experienced, highly-ranked players: with her victory over World No.43 Rogers, she has earned her third straight win over a Top 50 player this week. She is now 5-0 against Top 50 opposition in her career.

Raducanu's victories this week have also been straightforward: she has not dropped a set in any of her three victories in qualifying and her four main-draw wins. The British teen has dropped a mere 15 games in her four main-draw matches.

Against Rogers, Raducanu played her powerful game with precision, out-winnering hard-hitting Rogers by 18 to 14, while also keeping her unforced error count low, with just 14 miscues. Rogers, on the other hand, was undone by 29 unforced errors.

Raducanu was also rampant on return, claiming 61 percent of points off of the Rogers service. That allowed her to convert five of her nine break points in the affair, booking a place in the first Tour-level quarterfinal of her career.

PD

EDIT:  Catching some of the (repeat) match of the 20 year old Jenson Brooksby vs. Novak; seriously impressed by this young man!  Took the opening set 6-1 and gave Novak a serious run in the second (haven't watched any of the other sets...at least yet) battling back again and again as in "Advantage Djokovic"/back to 40-40/"Advantage Brooksby", etc.  :)  I'd heard talk of him before by the commentators, but hadn't seen him ever play.  I'm expecting to see great things from him.  Currently ranked No. 99 but that doesn't include the results from him for this week.

Sadly not, PD. No live feed here in the UK, or none that I could find. Watched highlights on YT and to quote 'Del boy' "the world is her lobster". We are so useless at tennis when someone comes along like Raducanu..... that young lady is going to make an awful lot of money.

Quote from: Irons on September 07, 2021, 07:10:44 AM
Sadly not, PD. No live feed here in the UK, or none that I could find. Watched highlights on YT and to quote 'Del boy' "the world is her lobster". We are so useless at tennis when someone comes along like Raducanu..... that young lady is going to make an awful lot of money.

Well, I was feeling badly that I had wasted your time!  ;)

And, not true, you've had and have some exceptional tennis players in the UK!  And thanks to efforts by people like Judy Murray (particularly in Scotland) more kids are getting interested in playing tennis.

We have been struggling here in the US with getting the next round of exceptional tennis players.  Been ages since an American male has won the US Open (Andy Roddick was the last one to have done so).  Also trying to help raise the next generation of female tennis players not named *Williams.  Things are looking better here though that said, this is the first time in ages that (apparently) we haven't had an American man into the quarter finals at the US Open!  :(  Feeling better though seeing players like Frances Tiafoe and Jenson Brooksby progressing nicely.  Coco Gauff has also been playing amazingly well--particularly for one so young.  She and her partner McNally are still alive and playing in the women's doubles at the Open.  I'm sure that there are others that I don't know about (particularly in the juniors).

By the way, your Raducanu will next be playing the Swiss Belinda Bencic.  Bencic won the gold medal in singles this year and also had the honor of playing with Roger F. a couple of years ago in the Laver Cup.   :)  I suspect that this will be a good match!

*Though look out for Olympia when she gets older!  Her mama and "current coach" is Serena.  ;D

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 07, 2021, 07:30:30 AM
Well, I was feeling badly that I had wasted your time!  ;)

And, not true, you've had and have some exceptional tennis players in the UK!  And thanks to efforts by people like Judy Murray (particularly in Scotland) more kids are getting interested in playing tennis.

We have been struggling here in the US with getting the next round of exceptional tennis players.  Been ages since an American male has won the US Open (Andy Roddick was the last one to have done so).  Also trying to help raise the next generation of female tennis players not named *Williams.  Things are looking better here though that said, this is the first time in ages that (apparently) we haven't had an American man into the quarter finals at the US Open!  :(  Feeling better though seeing players like Frances Tiafoe and Jenson Brooksby progressing nicely.  Coco Gauff has also been playing amazingly well--particularly for one so young.  She and her partner McNally are still alive and playing in the women's doubles at the Open.  I'm sure that there are others that I don't know about (particularly in the juniors).

By the way, your Raducanu will next be playing the Swiss Belinda Bencic.  Bencic won the gold medal in singles this year and also had the honor of playing with Roger F. a couple of years ago in the Laver Cup.   :)  I suspect that this will be a good match!

*Though look out for Olympia when she gets older!  Her mama and "current coach" is Serena.  ;D

PD

Andy Murray was the first Brit to win Wimbledon (men's) since Fred Perry (the men played in long trousers then I believe). Considering our tournament not exactly a rollcall of honour. :(

The UK newspapers are all over Raducanu this morning. Mine did make the point that Rogers "froze" which is similar to the point you made, PD. I think Raducanu will go out in the next round, which going by the experiences of past young "shooting stars" of the past will be no bad thing. Give her a couple of years and she may win Wimbledon. Too much too soon is a worry.

Quote from: Irons on September 08, 2021, 06:50:47 AM
Andy Murray was the first Brit to win Wimbledon (men's) since Fred Perry (the men played in long trousers then I believe). Considering our tournament not exactly a rollcall of honour. :(

The UK newspapers are all over Raducanu this morning. Mine did make the point that Rogers "froze" which is similar to the point you made, PD. I think Raducanu will go out in the next round, which going by the experiences of past young "shooting stars" of the past will be no bad thing. Give her a couple of years and she may win Wimbledon. Too much too soon is a worry.

Tim Henman made a good run though (semi-finals).  Dan Evans made it into the top 50 and after some errr..."setbacks" has climbed his way back up there again (currently ranked No. 27).  https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/dan-evans-cocaine-drugs-test-turning-career-around-bad-boy-never-stopped-a7805766.html  Konta has also won some tournaments...think that Watson has too?  Don't know about Robson.

Jamie Murray has won a number of doubles tournaments, ranking No. 1 in doubles at one time:  He along with his partner(s?) have won the Australian and the US Opens and was the finalist at Wimbledon and quarter-finalist twice at the French Open.  By the way, his brother Andy, has also won the Olympic gold medal in singles--twice!

As a nice aside, Virginia Wade went to the US Open this year and watched Raducanu play.  What an honor!  Raducanu was thrilled!  :)

Anyway, I hope that today's match will be a good one (starting in about 45 minutes).

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 08, 2021, 07:19:04 AM
Tim Henman made a good run though (semi-finals).  Dan Evans made it into the top 50 and after some errr..."setbacks" has climbed his way back up there again (currently ranked No. 27).  https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/dan-evans-cocaine-drugs-test-turning-career-around-bad-boy-never-stopped-a7805766.html  Konta has also won some tournaments...think that Watson has too?  Don't know about Robson.

Jamie Murray has won a number of doubles tournaments, ranking No. 1 in doubles at one time:  He along with his partner(s?) have won the Australian and the US Opens and was the finalist at Wimbledon and quarter-finalist twice at the French Open.  By the way, his brother Andy, has also won the Olympic gold medal in singles--twice!

As a nice aside, Virginia Wade went to the US Open this year and watched Raducanu play.  What an honor!  Raducanu was thrilled!  :)

Anyway, I hope that today's match will be a good one (starting in about 45 minutes).

PD

I read that Virginia Wade now lives in Long Island.

Here in the UK, Raducanu's matches are shown on Amazon Prime I discover.

Quote from: Irons on September 08, 2021, 11:36:15 PM
I read that Virginia Wade now lives in Long Island.

Here in the UK, Raducanu's matches are shown on Amazon Prime I discover.

Apparently.  I saw a couple of nice interviews with her online.  It seems that initially she ended up in Manhattan (wanting to avoid high British tax rates and also wanting to live a more low-key lifestyle after she became a celebrity in her home country).  There's a fun Q & A with her here that you might enjoy:  https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/24/virginia-wade-interview.

*Great job by Emma yesterday!  Amazing that she is now into the semi-finals.  She's now the first person ever (male or female) to have come through the qualies and make it that far at the US Open.  It would be quite something if the two teenagers made it into the final (the other is the Canadian L. Fernandez).  Are you able to watch Amazon prime?  I don't have that here, but can watch it either live on ESPN or repeated next day on the Tennis Channel (though I can't chose which courts I want to watch).

Meanwhile, I'm happy to see that the awesome team of Coco Gauff and Caty McNally are into the women's doubles' semi-finals.  You might have heard of Coco before.  She's the young American (17) who has been making decent runs at the slams and also has already won a few tournaments:  2 singles titles and 3 doubles titles (all with McNally).

*I'll bet that pictures of her are plastered all over the UK papers today?  Heaven help her if she wins the US Open!  ;D

PD

Boy, exciting news at the US Open!  Both Raducanu and Fernandez made it through their respective semi-finals, so it will be the battle of the teenagers (Raducanu, aged 18 and Fernandez who just turned 19 a few days ago).  Both of them have been playing absolutely amazing tennis these past two weeks.  Hoping for a great women's singles' final.   :)

PD

Yes, it was the main item on the news here today. Let's hope that it's not a case of hubris followed by nemesis (from the UK point of view).
:)

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 10, 2021, 03:18:38 AM
Boy, exciting news at the US Open!  Both Raducanu and Fernandez made it through their respective semi-finals, so it will be the battle of the teenagers (Raducanu, aged 18 and Fernandez who just turned 19 a few days ago).  Both of them have been playing absolutely amazing tennis these past two weeks.  Hoping for a great women's singles' final.   :)

PD

Can't wait! Both of these young women are so impressive. Resilient, tenacious, and extremely calm under pressure.

Although I am rooting for Fernandez because she is Canadian, Raducanu was born in Canada. A win-win for me.

Hard to actually say who might win this one the way both have been playing.

Quote from: OrchestralNut on September 10, 2021, 03:40:01 AM
Can't wait! Both of these young women are so impressive. Resilient, tenacious, and extremely calm under pressure.

Although I am rooting for Fernandez because she is Canadian, Raducanu was born in Canada. A win-win for me.

Hard to actually say who might win this one the way both have been playing.

I hope hope hope that they are BOTH able to maintain the free-spirited JOY in their playing that they have at the moment.  SO sad reading Osaka's comments of simply being sad if she lost and relieved if she won.  To have such talent but feel such a burden must be awful.......

Quote from: Roasted Swan on September 10, 2021, 03:43:03 AM
I hope hope hope that they are BOTH able to maintain the free-spirited JOY in their playing that they have at the moment.  SO sad reading Osaka's comments of simply being sad if she lost and relieved if she won.  To have such talent but feel such a burden must be awful.......

It is great to see the joy and passion they are both exhibiting and they have certainly become crowd favourites.

Yes, once you are at the top, things change. It becomes an expectation.

Quote from: OrchestralNut on September 10, 2021, 03:46:29 AM
It is great to see the joy and passion they are both exhibiting and they have certainly become crowd favourites.

Yes, once you are at the top, things change. It becomes an expectation.

Just so - no doubt some strange folk have already started having a troll of both of them.....

Quote from: Roasted Swan on September 10, 2021, 03:43:03 AM
I hope hope hope that they are BOTH able to maintain the free-spirited JOY in their playing that they have at the moment.  SO sad reading Osaka's comments of simply being sad if she lost and relieved if she won.  To have such talent but feel such a burden must be awful.......

Yes, I feel for her (Osaka) and hope that she is able to find joy again in playing tennis.

Will they be showing the final in the UK in such a way so that one wouldn't have to pay for a premium service in order to watch it?  And what about in Canada?  We used to be able to watch the US Open with just a basic t.v. subscription--really back when there were just three main networks; all you needed was electricity and a t.v. antenna.  Then things started changing so that ESPN bought the rights to most of the matches though the later ones you  could watch on good ole NBC--for a basic subscription.  Nowadays, you have to pay extra for ESPN to watch it from Round 1 (repeats being shown on the Tennis Channel--another premium package).   :(

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 10, 2021, 03:58:39 AM
Yes, I feel for her (Osaka) and hope that she is able to find joy again in playing tennis.

Will they be showing the final in the UK in such a way so that one wouldn't have to pay for a premium service in order to watch it?  And what about in Canada?  We used to be able to watch the US Open with just a basic t.v. subscription--really back when there were just three main networks; all you needed was electricity and a t.v. antenna.  Then things started changing so that ESPN bought the rights to most of the matches though the later ones you  could watch on good ole NBC--for a basic subscription.  Nowadays, you have to pay extra for ESPN to watch it from Round 1 (repeats being shown on the Tennis Channel--another premium package).   :(

PD

I think the BBC will show free-to-air highlights and the whole US Open is on Amazon Prime which I have for the music/delivery options so in that sense it almost feels like a "free" option (self-deluding I know!)

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 10, 2021, 03:58:39 AM
Yes, I feel for her (Osaka) and hope that she is able to find joy again in playing tennis.

Will they be showing the final in the UK in such a way so that one wouldn't have to pay for a premium service in order to watch it?  And what about in Canada?  We used to be able to watch the US Open with just a basic t.v. subscription--really back when there were just three main networks; all you needed was electricity and a t.v. antenna.  Then things started changing so that ESPN bought the rights to most of the matches though the later ones you  could watch on good ole NBC--for a basic subscription.  Nowadays, you have to pay extra for ESPN to watch it from Round 1 (repeats being shown on the Tennis Channel--another premium package).   :(

PD

I do have a cable subscription, so am able to watch it on TSN (a Canadian sports cable channel).

Oh, good, RS and ON!

Looking at the US Open website, it looks like the women's singles' final is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST on Saturday.  So, hopefully it won't be past most people's bedtimes in the U.K.

The men's final on Sunday could be a good one, but semis first tonight.  Novak is going for a calendar slam record and so far has been playing really well.  Can anyone stop him?   :-\  I suspect not, but we'll find out soon!

PD

Quote from: Irons on September 07, 2021, 07:10:44 AM
Sadly not, PD. No live feed here in the UK, or none that I could find. Watched highlights on YT and to quote 'Del boy' "the world is her lobster". We are so useless at tennis when someone comes along like Raducanu..... that young lady is going to make an awful lot of money.

You might find this to be of interest Irons:  https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58508806  By the way, the winner of the women's singles' final gets $2,500,000 and the finalist:  $1,250,000.  Not too shabby!

By the way, it appears that you will be able to watch an hour long highlights of the match on Sunday.  Here's the gist of it from the BBC website:

"The match, which is due to start at 21:00 BST on Saturday, 11 September, will be live on BBC Radio 5 Live, with video clips of the match available afterwards on the BBC Sport website and app.

On Sunday afternoon BBC One will broadcast an hour-long highlights programme of the final from 13:45 BST.

Raducanu, 18, extended her dream run in New York with a 6-1 6-4 semi-final victory over Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari in the early hours of Friday.

There is no planned live network TV coverage in the UK of the US Open. The tournament is being broadcast live by Amazon through its Amazon Prime Video streaming app available on connected TVs and mobile devices. You need a subscription to access the service, which starts at £5.99.

The BBC TV coverage will also be available to watch through BBC iPlayer, while the live radio commentary will also be on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, which will also have live text commentary and in-depth coverage of the match."

PD

p.s.  They (ESPN) is currently showing the men's doubles' final live:  Jamie Murray and Bruno Suares vs. the US's R. Ram and another British player named Salisbury.  You guys are everywhere!  The winning team gets $660,000 and the runners up $330,000.  Fingers crossed for Coco and Caty to make it to the women's doubles' final and to win it!  :)

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 10, 2021, 08:17:20 AM
You might find this to be of interest Irons:  https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58508806  By the way, the winner of the women's singles' final gets $2,500,000 and the finalist:  $1,250,000.  Not too shabby!

By the way, it appears that you will be able to watch an hour long highlights of the match on Sunday.  Here's the gist of it from the BBC website:

"The match, which is due to start at 21:00 BST on Saturday, 11 September, will be live on BBC Radio 5 Live, with video clips of the match available afterwards on the BBC Sport website and app.

On Sunday afternoon BBC One will broadcast an hour-long highlights programme of the final from 13:45 BST.

Raducanu, 18, extended her dream run in New York with a 6-1 6-4 semi-final victory over Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari in the early hours of Friday.

There is no planned live network TV coverage in the UK of the US Open. The tournament is being broadcast live by Amazon through its Amazon Prime Video streaming app available on connected TVs and mobile devices. You need a subscription to access the service, which starts at £5.99.

The BBC TV coverage will also be available to watch through BBC iPlayer, while the live radio commentary will also be on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, which will also have live text commentary and in-depth coverage of the match."

PD

p.s.  They (ESPN) is currently showing the men's doubles' final live:  Jamie Murray and Bruno Suares vs. the US's R. Ram and another British player named Salisbury.  You guys are everywhere!  The winning team gets $660,000 and the runners up $330,000.  Fingers crossed for Coco and Caty to make it to the women's doubles' final and to win it!  :)

I had a plan. Knowing the Ladies semi kicks off when snuggled up in bed, hit the remote at 6.30 am and watch the match unaware of the result. Something I have done many times with boxing held in the US. To get to Amazon Prime, the TV has to be switched on! My plan was dust as the BBC studios which happened to be on were in raptures by Radacanu's victory. Oh well.

I must say although a lover of all sport, tennis is not top of the list but what this young lady has achieved is remarkable. I think the whole nation and possibly America too has fallen in love with her. It feels me with pride that she is British and more so, not less, that her father is Romanian and her mother Chinese which is a true reflection of modern cosmopolitan Britain.

Quote from: Irons on September 10, 2021, 08:58:28 AM
I had a plan. Knowing the Ladies semi kicks off when snuggled up in bed, hit the remote at 6.30 am and watch the match unaware of the result. Something I have done many times with boxing held in the US. To get to Amazon Prime, the TV has to be switched on! My plan was dust as the BBC studios which happened to be on were in raptures by Radacanu's victory. Oh well.

I must say although a lover of all sport, tennis is not top of the list but what this young lady has achieved is remarkable. I think the whole nation and possibly America too has fallen in love with her. It feels me with pride that she is British and more so, not less, that her father is Romanian and her mother Chinese which is a true reflection of modern cosmopolitan Britain.

Augh!  Sorry that your surprise was spoiled Irons!  I've had that happen to me before.  Skipped watching the Australian men's final thinking that I'd catch the repeat in the morning; however, I stupidly turned on my kitchen radio which is tuned to an NPR station.  "....and so and so won the Australian Open"....urgh!!!  >:(  My stupidity!

Sorry to read that Raducanu's parents won't be there for the final.  Apparently, they would need to get a special waver--which, it seems, takes several weeks to get (couldn't somebody in high places try to make this happen?  Or maybe a lot of Covid testing and quarantining is involved?).   Such a shame that they can't be there.  :(  And, yes, it's neat to read their different stories.   :) I read the other day that Leylah Fernandez's father was originally from Ecuador and was a former professional football player.  Her mother is a Canadian citizen of Filipino descent.  And her younger sister is also a tennis player too.  Leylah, like a lot of tennis players, resides elsewhere--apparently currently in Boynton Beach, Florida.  It's a small world!  :)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 10, 2021, 09:35:21 AM
Augh!  Sorry that your surprise was spoiled Irons!  I've had that happen to me before.  Skipped watching the Australian men's final thinking that I'd catch the repeat in the morning; however, I stupidly turned on my kitchen radio which is tuned to an NPR station.  "....and so and so won the Australian Open"....urgh!!!  >:(  My stupidity!

Sorry to read that Raducanu's parents won't be there for the final.  Apparently, they would need to get a special waver--which, it seems, takes several weeks to get (couldn't somebody in high places try to make this happen?  Or maybe a lot of Covid testing and quarantining is involved?).   Such a shame that they can't be there.  :(  And, yes, it's neat to read their different stories.   :) I read the other day that Leylah Fernandez's father was originally from Ecuador and was a former professional football player.  Her mother is a Canadian citizen of Filipino descent.  And her younger sister is also a tennis player too.  Leylah, like a lot of tennis players, resides elsewhere--apparently currently in Boynton Beach, Florida.  It's a small world!  :)

PD

Yes so many similarities between the two girls and Fernandez was lowly ranked too. The Finale is a massive shot in the arm for Ladies Tennis.

Amazon Prime has struck gold - not that they needed to! They are showing the match live at peak viewing time, 9pm.

Quote from: Irons on September 11, 2021, 12:14:29 AM
Yes so many similarities between the two girls and Fernandez was lowly ranked too. The Finale is a massive shot in the arm for Ladies Tennis.

Amazon Prime has struck gold - not that they needed to! They are showing the match live at peak viewing time, 9pm.

Cool!  Will you be watching it?  Or is that getting a bit late for you?  I've been getting up earlier this past summer (though overslept today!)...which means that I don't last so late into the evenings.  At least it will be on during afternoon here.

By the way, Rajeev Ram (who is a doubles player veteran--and also an American) and UK's Joe Salisbury won the men's doubles yesterday.  :)

So, you're into boxing?  Did you ever train/compete in it yourself Irons?

PD

One for the Brits: the Raducanu final will also be shown live on Channel 4 from 8pm.

Just read on my twitter feed that C4 made a deal with Amazon, I have checked the schedule on the TV guide and it is indeed listed. 

Quote from: Papy Oli on September 11, 2021, 02:34:53 AM
One for the Brits: the Raducanu final will also be shown live on Channel 4 from 8pm.

Just read on my twitter feed that C4 made a deal with Amazon, I have checked the schedule on the TV guide and it is indeed listed.

Excellent!  I had a strong feeling that they would find a way to show it live on the BBC.  Happy for you all!

PD

Quote from: Papy Oli on September 11, 2021, 02:34:53 AM
One for the Brits: the Raducanu final will also be shown live on Channel 4 from 8pm.

Just read on my twitter feed that C4 made a deal with Amazon, I have checked the schedule on the TV guide and it is indeed listed.

Just ran across this article.  Wonder whether or not the figures are correct?  If so, wow!  This is from MSN.com website:

'Channel 4 strikes a deal with Amazon to air Live US Open Tennis Final
The news that the final will be shown on Channel 4 will be welcomed by UK tennis fans as they can now watch the entire match for free, instead of having to stream it from Amazon.

Channel 4 made a special deal with Amazon, reportedly worth £30m, allowing UK viewers to watch the US Open final for free, instead of streaming it on Amazon.

Amazon owns the exclusive UK rights to the US Open, meaning that ordinarily, viewers would have to subscribe to a 30-day free trial or pay a monthly fee of £7.99 to watch the match on its Prime service.

Channel 4's chief content officer, Ian Katz, said: "Emma's meteoric rise to secure a place in the US Open Final is just sensational. We're glad to have worked with Prime Video and pulled out all the stops to get it on air and I'm sure viewers will be thrilled at the prospect of watching Emma in this grand slam final."'

PD

Watching on Channel 4

Here too  ;D

She did it! Amazing:
(//)

Surreal! What remarkable talents and remarkable young women both! Their fearlessness in the heat of battle is just extraordinary. And the road ahead for young Emma seems absolutely wide open.

Quote from: Iota on September 11, 2021, 02:46:47 PM
Surreal! What remarkable talents and remarkable young women both! Their fearlessness in the heat of battle is just extraordinary. And the road ahead for young Emma seems absolutely wide open.

+1
(//)

Quote from: Iota on September 11, 2021, 02:46:47 PM
Surreal! What remarkable talents and remarkable young women both! Their fearlessness in the heat of battle is just extraordinary. And the road ahead for young Emma seems absolutely wide open.

Spot on! Both girls are an amazing example what the young can achieve.

Quote from: Irons on September 12, 2021, 01:02:47 AM
Spot on! Both girls are an amazing example what the young can achieve.

Yes, an amazing run for both of them.  Fernandez had to fight through three of the top five women's tennis players for example (including a number of players who had won slams before too).  And Raducanu...can't believe that she made it through the qualifiers rounds...into the final and won the whole Big Apple (and without dropping a set along the route)!  She was ranked No. 150 when she started and coming Monday, she'll be ranked something like No. 23.

Pretty amazing how they managed to stay focused and calm..amazing maturity from too such young and very talented tennis players.

PD

p.s.  Loved Fernandez's comments to the crowd about 9/11 and the resiliency of NYC over the past 20 years--you could tell that she meant it and that the crowd loved her even more for her kind words.  :)

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 12, 2021, 08:08:20 AM
Yes, an amazing run for both of them.  Fernandez had to fight through three of the top five women's tennis players for example (including a number of players who had won slams before too).  And Raducanu...can't believe that she made it through the qualifiers rounds...into the final and won the whole Big Apple (and without dropping a set along the route)!  She was ranked No. 150 when she started and coming Monday, she'll be ranked something like No. 23.

Pretty amazing how they managed to stay focused and calm..amazing maturity from too such young and very talented tennis players.

PD

p.s.  Loved Fernandez's comments to the crowd about 9/11 and the resiliency of NYC over the past 20 years--you could tell that she meant it and that the crowd loved her even more for her kind words.  :)

Not been mentioned in the thread, but I thought the medical break was of significance. Obviously Raducanu did not do it for her own advantage - post Aids, any sight of blood in sport results in a stop of proceedings. Although on cusp of a Raducanu victory, which can be the most difficult and tricky part of the game for any player, Fernandez was coming back at her. After stoppage, Raducanu sat in her chair cool as cucumber where as Fernandez was growing more and more agitated complaining to the match referee. It appeared she was upset. Maybe if her coach had been at the match he would have got a message to her to stop complaining, sit down and gather her thoughts. Not saying the result would have been different, but stranger things have happened and Fernandez is a fighter.

Quote from: Irons on September 13, 2021, 12:16:13 AM
Not been mentioned in the thread, but I thought the medical break was of significance. Obviously Raducanu did not do it for her own advantage - post Aids, any sight of blood in sport results in a stop of proceedings. Although on cusp of a Raducanu victory, which can be the most difficult and tricky part of the game for any player, Fernandez was coming back at her. After stoppage, Raducanu sat in her chair cool as cucumber where as Fernandez was growing more and more agitated complaining to the match referee. It appeared she was upset. Maybe if her coach had been at the match he would have got a message to her to stop complaining, sit down and gather her thoughts. Not saying the result would have been different, but stranger things have happened and Fernandez is a fighter.

I believe that Fernandez was initially upset because she couldn't see (from where she was at the other end of the court) that Raducanu was bleeding and so didn't know what was happening and why there was a time out.  That said, she was jumping around on court trying to stay loose and probably, yes, feeling frustrated as she had been on a mini-roll and then this happened.

From the ITF rulebook: 

"Bleeding
If a player is bleeding, the Chair Umpire must stop play as soon as possible, and the Sports Physiotherapist must be called to the court by the Chair Umpire for evaluation and treatment. The Sports Physiotherapist, in conjunction with the Tournament Doctor if appropriate, will evaluate the source of the bleeding, and will request a Medical Time-Out for treatment if necessary.  If requested by the Sports Physiotherapist and/or Tournament Doctor, the Referee in consultation with the Grand Slam Supervisor or Chair Umpire may allow up to a total of five (5) minutes to assure control of the bleeding.  If blood has spilled onto the court or its immediate vicinity, play must not resume until the blood spill has been cleaned appropriately."

Also, no on-court coaching is allowed at slams (for both the men and the women).

Amazing win by Medvedev yesterday.  I felt for Novak as *he was trying so hard to win a calendar slam (winning all four opens within the same year).  Rod Laver, the only other man to have done so during the Open era, would have presented the trophy to Novak (so I had heard).  Steffi Graff, back in 1988 did it on the women's side (only other person to have done this male or female in the Open era other than Laver).  Medvedev was playing brilliantly though and I think also that the extra hours that Novak had played on court to get to the finals caught up with him too.

*If Novak had won this one too, he would have surpassed Rafa's and Roger's and his record of having won 20 slams each.  I would be surprised if Novak didn't do this at some point in the near future, but, alas for him, this wasn't to be his time to do so.

I'm watching some of the repeat now.  :)

PD

As a fun aside:  I went online to see who wore what at the Met Gala and was pleased to see that a number of tennis players had attended it.  Not terribly surprised as Anna Wintour is a big tennis fan.  I suspect that there were some last minute invites as Emma Raducanu was there as well as Leylah Fernandez.  Loved Naomi Osaka's look (she was also one of the co-chairs)!

https://conandaily.com/2021/09/14/emma-raducanu-leylah-fernandez-attend-met-gala-2021-in-new-york-naomi-osaka-amanda-gorman-are-co-chairs/

PD

Well, the women's draw is out now for Indian Wells.  Raducanu has a tricky road to navigate ahead:  https://www.10sballs.com/2021/10/05/indian-wells-tennis-•-wta-ladies-draw-raducanu-in-section-stacked-with-grand-slam-champions/  She was given a wild card into the event as at the time, her ranking wasn't high enough to get her into it.  She is now ranked No. 22.

The men's draw is due out at 3 p.m. (Pacific Time) today.

PD

I took a look at the women's doubles' draw and noticed that Coco Gauff will be playing with Leylah Fernandez.  :)

PD

If you need a good laugh, try this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZDn0U0w78k   :)

It's actually about badminton, but it left me in stitches.  Big fan here of Mary Carillo.  Besides being a former tennis champion, she's been a long-time commentator to various news networks (like Tennis Channel, ESPN and others).

PD

Some cool news for Australians:  At the Australian Open, they will now have an all-Australian men's doubles' finals.  And in the women's singles' final:  the No. 1 seed Ash Barty will be fighting for her first win of the A.O. [Last won by an Aussie back in 1978.] against the American Danielle Collins (her first ever open final).

PD

And how could I forget to mention the amazing and inspiring career of Dylan Alcott!  Thought that it was really cool that he was also chosen as "Australian of the Year".   :)  Here's one article about him here:  https://theconversation.com/tennis-champ-dylan-alcott-is-2022-australian-of-the-year-175657

And Rafa and Daniil into the men's singles' final!  Will Rafa break the 3-way tie of 20 slams each (between him, Roger and Novak) or will Medvedev win his second slam?

PD

My wife is shouting for Barty in the lady's final but is undecided in the men's final.
I am guided by her  ;)

Quote from: aligreto on January 28, 2022, 02:51:42 PM
My wife is shouting for Barty in the lady's final but is undecided in the men's final.
I am guided by her  ;)

;D
Hello!

I did manage to catch the end of the women's final live (started at 3:30 a.m. here).  Had hoped that it would go to three sets, but alas not.

Very happy for Barty:  she's a real champion and even more importantly, everything that I've ever heard about her has been positive.  All of her fellow players talk about how genuine and lovely a person she is.  She's also now 3/4 of the way towards winning a career slam--very impressive!

Felt for Danielle you could see how disappointed she was after having worked so hard to get into the final.  She has a lot to be proud of though and will now be in the top 10.

Here, I'm pulling for Rafa!   :)

PD

Boys and girls,

We're going 5!   ;D

PD

Medvedev's shortcomings are so glaring. Yet he almost beat Nadal.
Once he learns how to play at the net, he's going to be something special.

Congrats to Rafa!

I see so many headlines about "is the debate about GOAT in tennis over?"
You've got to be kidding.

Congrats to the Australian government for deciding the winner of the Australian men champion.

Quote from: Johnnie Burgess on January 30, 2022, 06:36:07 AM
Congrats to the Australian government for deciding the winner of the Australian men champion.

Pfffft.  ::)

sigh. I was really hoping Ons Jabeur would win last night (my time) but had to go to bed when I could tell in the second set that she was becoming over frustrated and losing the mental game. And after such a strong firt set.

Quote from: SimonNZ on July 09, 2022, 04:18:56 PM
sigh. I was really hoping Ons Jabeur would win last night (my time) but had to go to bed when I could tell in the second set that she was becoming over frustrated and losing the mental game. And after such a strong firt set.

She really is a wonderful tennis player...and even better:  she strikes me as having a wonderful and kind personality and apparently is well-liked in the locker room by her peers.  :)

PD

Just a few random tennissy observations...

John McEnroe recently compared Nadal with his rival Jimmy Connors, while remarking on Nadal's tenacity. It's maybe the second time I've agreed with McEnroe in the last forty years.

I just can't bring myself to like Djokovic much, but l'll admit he's probably the best male player currently active. Get healthy, Roger...

Nick Kyrgios reminds me somewhat of Ilie Năstase, who was emotionally undisciplined while displaying unparalleled talent on the court. Mr. Kyrgios should take the lesson and start winning some Slams.

I miss Federer. I want him to come back, have one more dominant year and ride off into the sunset. Rafa can follow suit in a few years.

I miss watching Connors in his prime. He inspired me to take up the sport in my teens, and while l was never a fan of anyone's poor on-court behavior, he eventually outgrew it for the most part.

And finally: No, " tennissy " isn't a real word, I made it up specifically for this post. Feel free to make use of it, I'd get a kick out of seeing it in other's posts.  8)

Quote from: LKB on July 24, 2022, 02:41:00 PM
Just a few random tennissy observations...

John McEnroe recently compared Nadal with his rival Jimmy Connors, while remarking on Nadal's tenacity. It's maybe the second time I've agreed with McEnroe in the last forty years.

I just can't bring myself to like Djokovic much, but l'll admit he's probably the best male player currently active. Get healthy, Roger...

Nick Kyrgios reminds me somewhat of Ilie Năstase, who was emotionally undisciplined while displaying unparalleled talent on the court. Mr. Kyrgios should take the lesson and start winning some Slams.

I miss Federer. I want him to come back, have one more dominant year and ride off into the sunset. Rafa can follow suit in a few years.

I miss watching Connors in his prime. He inspired me to take up the sport in my teens, and while l was never a fan of anyone's poor on-court behavior, he eventually outgrew it for the most part.

And finally: No, " tennissy " isn't a real word, I made it up specifically for this post. Feel free to make use of it, I'd get a kick out of seeing it in other's posts.  8)

;D  We think similarly on this one (in boldface)!  Don't know whether or not you had heard, but Roger is planning on playing in the Laver Cup (in the fall) followed by the Swiss Indoors (in Basel--where he worked as a ball kid growing up).  Must admit:  it was hard to see him walk out onto Centre Court at Wimbledon for that 100 year anniversary and knowing that he wasn't playing there this year--and possibly might never again.  Did you catch that ceremony by the way?  I thought that it was quite special.  And sad that Martina N. wasn't able to attend it.  She would have been the last one to have walked out as she won it NINE(!) times.  Both she and Berrettini had to bow out of Wimbledon due to contracting Covid.  For those who might not know, Berrettini was in the men's singles' final (losing to Djokovic).

Amazing that Rafa has been playing so long with his chronic foot condition.  What perseverance!

Kyrgios is amazingly talented; now if he can just work through his "demons" and figure out what he wants most in life and how to achieve that (easier said than done of course)......

Speaking of "tennisssy", there are some current tennis players with some fun and seemingly-tennis-related names out there:  Tennys Sandgren (named after his Swedish grandfather) and Katie Volynets for instance.   ;D

PD

Anyone else here watching the US Open?

Quite impressed with how Britain's Cam Norrie has been playing.

Raducanu was (unsurprisingly in my humble opinion,) beaten in the first round by the resurgent and dangerous Alize Cornet.  To be fair, Emma has been struggling with various injuries lately and hasn't gotten in a lot of match play.  She's young though and I think that once she settles on a coach for longer than a few months and is able to stay healthy that we'll see more good things from her.  :)

Pleased to see Serena make it through her first round match; she'll have a tougher opponent in her next round (tonight) against the No. 2 ranked player (A. Kontaveit).

All kinds of other fun and interesting stories--including Brandon Holt, Tracy Austin's son, make it through quallies at a major for the first time.  He then won his first round and is battling in a fifth set against No. 66 ranked Argentine P. Cachin.  He was up two sets (BH), but then lost the third, and then the fourth in a tiebreak and is now on serve in the fifth and deciding set.

And more news....but I'll let you all catch up on that.

Any favorite matches that any of you have watched and enjoyed?  Or any favorite players that you are rooting for?  I know that we have at least one Ons Jabeur fan here.  :)

PD

I don't especially follow tennis but I don't have much patience for 'Our Great Tennis Star' Raducanu. I suspect that she may end up as a one trick pony. I know that she is very young but what changed my attitude to her was her ditching her coach immediately after winning the US Open last year (look how well that has worked out!)

Quote from: vandermolen on August 31, 2022, 12:27:02 PM
I don't especially follow tennis but I don't have much patience for 'Our Great Tennis Star' Raducanu. I suspect that she may end up as a one trick pony. I know that she is very young but what changed my attitude to her was her ditching her coach immediately after winning the US Open last year (look how well that has worked out!)

This might help you to understand more what her thinking was at the time:  https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/24/emma-raducanu-splits-from-coach-who-guided-her-to-shock-us-open-triumph-tennis

Last I heard, she's trying out a Russian coach Tursunov ( = trial run).  https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/WTA_Tennis/118887/emma-raducanu-reveals-latest-regarding-her-trial-with-russian-coach/

I think that she realizes that she has a lot of work to do--physically, etc., and is trying to find "a good fit".

PD

Quote from: vandermolen on August 31, 2022, 12:27:02 PM
I don't especially follow tennis but I don't have much patience for 'Our Great Tennis Star' Raducanu. I suspect that she may end up as a one trick pony. I know that she is very young but what changed my attitude to her was her ditching her coach immediately after winning the US Open last year (look how well that has worked out!)

+1

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 01, 2022, 01:51:45 AM
This might help you to understand more what her thinking was at the time:  https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/24/emma-raducanu-splits-from-coach-who-guided-her-to-shock-us-open-triumph-tennis

Last I heard, she's trying out a Russian coach Tursunov ( = trial run).  https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/WTA_Tennis/118887/emma-raducanu-reveals-latest-regarding-her-trial-with-russian-coach/

I think that she realizes that she has a lot of work to do--physically, etc., and is trying to find "a good fit".

PD

Quote from: Irons on September 01, 2022, 06:47:23 AM
+1

Pardon, and I'm trying my best to be kind, but did either of you read the articles that I had linked to...particularly (from what I remember) the first?  I do realize that I'm probably one of the few tennis enthusiasts  here and, yes, I don't know everything.  One of the things though that I read early on was that Raducanu had only hired him for a certain amount of time (through the US Open), which is different from him being her full-time employee/coach.  I don't know exactly what it is like to be a professional tennis player/life on tour/life for the coaches, etc., though I do read a number of articles/listen to stories, etc.  And, yes, at first, when I heard that about her coach, I was surprised, but also looked into it further.  From the bit more that I can find, it sounds like she was thinking smartly and realizing that he had limited experience in certain areas (like as far as him having been on the WTA Tour and from what she said "no") and that she would need more experienced help at her new level.  Please be so kind as to (if you haven't already) read those articles.  :)  And she also (according to an article) said that (along these lines) that it would be o.k. with her if she needed to go back to having basically no points and having to deal with Challenger matches, etc., and working her way back up and that she had [probably] missed certain lessons/experiences/knowledge, etc. that she needed to learn.  And that she was o.k. with that.  And, a reminder, she also had a dose of Covid and injuries to boot.  Food for thought gents.  :)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 01, 2022, 01:51:45 AM
This might help you to understand more what her thinking was at the time:  https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/24/emma-raducanu-splits-from-coach-who-guided-her-to-shock-us-open-triumph-tennis

Last I heard, she's trying out a Russian coach Tursunov ( = trial run).  https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/WTA_Tennis/118887/emma-raducanu-reveals-latest-regarding-her-trial-with-russian-coach/

I think that she realizes that she has a lot of work to do--physically, etc., and is trying to find "a good fit".

PD

I've been at work all day (back to school!) and I've only just got round to reading the Guardian article. Thanks for posting it and it does give me more understanding of her decision making process. However, it doesn't really change my view of Raducanu and her tendency to blame others for her disappointing performances. I think that the stars were aligned for her at the US Open last year but I wonder if this will ever happen again.

Quote from: vandermolen on September 01, 2022, 11:59:02 AM
I've been at work all day (back to school!) and I've only just got round to reading the Guardian article. Thanks for posting it and it does give me more understanding of her decision making process. However, it doesn't really change my view of Raducanu and her tendency to blame others for her disappointing performances. I think that the stars were aligned for her at the US Open last year but I wonder if this will ever happen again.

Interesting, but she never "blamed anyone"?  She just said, according to the Guardian article, what she was looking for in a coach.  There's more in the other link.  I'm trying to figure out why you seem to be reading more into that article and am confused.  That second article talked more about her being o.k. with needing to go back to challenger levels and needing to learn more and o.k. with her ranking dropping back to basically zero and willing to claw her way back and what she needed to learn.

PD

Emma will undoubtedly prosper. And at the age of twenty, folks should make allowances in any case, imho. Hell, l wasn't truly an adult until l was thirty, and l don't think l was fully mature until forty. So she's going to misjudge, blunder and be comically incorrect for some time yet, in certain cases.

Quote from: LKB on September 01, 2022, 07:56:05 PM
Emma will undoubtedly prosper. And at the age of twenty, folks should make allowances in any case, imho. Hell, l wasn't truly an adult until l was thirty, and l don't think l was fully mature until forty. So she's going to misjudge, blunder and be comically incorrect for some time yet, in certain cases.

Fair points - I still don't think that I've grown up now - in my 60s (I suspect that my wife would agree). 

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 01, 2022, 12:26:16 PM
Interesting, but she never "blamed anyone"?  She just said, according to the Guardian article, what she was looking for in a coach.  There's more in the other link.  I'm trying to figure out why you seem to be reading more into that article and am confused.  That second article talked more about her being o.k. with needing to go back to challenger levels and needing to learn more and o.k. with her ranking dropping back to basically zero and willing to claw her way back and what she needed to learn.

PD

Fair points and you know far more about tennis than I do. However, I wonder what would have happened if she'd stuck with her original coach. When football teams do badly they often sack their manager (Bournemouth FC in the UK most recently). I'd have thought that the carousel of Raducanu's coaches is indicative of where she attributes blame. I've been impressed, however, when Raducanu suddenly switches to Chinese in her press conferences.

Quote from: vandermolen on September 01, 2022, 10:05:49 PM
Fair points and you know far more about tennis than I do. However, I wonder what would have happened if she'd stuck with her original coach. When football teams do badly they often sack their manager (Bournemouth FC in the UK most recently). I'd have thought that the carousel of Raducanu's coaches is indicative of where she attributes blame. I've been impressed, however, when Raducanu suddenly switches to Chinese in her press conferences.

I don't know re original coach (actually, that wasn't her first-ever coach by the way), but I've also read that she is in no hurry to find a more permanent coach.  I believe that she also mentioned elsewhere that she was wanting to learn different things from different coaches and that she knew her approach was not traditional, but it was what she wanted to do.

In any event, time will tell and I wish her well.  :)

Poor Rafa, he accidentally hit himself with his racquet during his last match, was left dizzy and had to call for a medical trainer!  He ended up winning his match, however against the ever clever, talented and often mercurially-tempered Fognini (after a poor start on Nadal's part).

The British men have been making a good showing.  You should be very proud of them.

Not looking forward to seeing Madison Keys and Coco Gauff battling it out today; they are both Americans and I like both of them--wish that they wouldn't have been meeting up 'til later in the slam.  :(  So it goes!

Best,

PD [aka "She who will never grow up."  :D ]

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 02, 2022, 04:19:34 AM
I don't know re original coach (actually, that wasn't her first-ever coach by the way), but I've also read that she is in no hurry to find a more permanent coach.  I believe that she also mentioned elsewhere that she was wanting to learn different things from different coaches and that she knew her approach was not traditional, but it was what she wanted to do.

In any event, time will tell and I wish her well.  :)

Poor Rafa, he accidentally hit himself with his racquet during his last match, was left dizzy and had to call for a medical trainer!  He ended up winning his match, however against the ever clever, talented and often mercurially-tempered Fognini (after a poor start on Nadal's part).

The British men have been making a good showing.  You should be very proud of them.

Not looking forward to seeing Madison Keys and Coco Gauff battling it out today; they are both Americans and I like both of them--wish that they wouldn't have been meeting up 'til later in the slam.  :(  So it goes!

Best,

PD [aka "She who will never grow up."  :D ]

Haha  :)
Yes, the British men are doing well (surprisingly!)

Quote from: vandermolen on September 02, 2022, 05:32:24 AM
Haha  :)
Yes, the British men are doing well (surprisingly!)

According to this article, it's the first time that four British men will be playing in the round of 32 at the US Open:

https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34506262/cameron-norrie-dan-evans-win-reach-third-round-set-british-record-us-open

Even Murray (despite all of his previous injuries and hip surgery) is still in the mix.  Good for him!  Amazing to see the fight and determination in him after all that he's been through.  *He could have easily retired some time ago rather than putting his body through more stress and potentially damaging it further.

*And felt good about all of his accomplishments and achievements

PD

Hoping for Shapovalov to keep it going. He's the last remaining Canadian in the singles. Enjoyed watching Serena as well. The epitome of never giving an inch and never giving up.

Great intense matches so far!

Quote from: OrchestralNut on September 03, 2022, 11:02:18 AM
Hoping for Shapovalov to keep it going. He's the last remaining Canadian in the singles. Enjoyed watching Serena as well. The epitome of never giving an inch and never giving up.

Great intense matches so far!

Yes, it was good that she went out playing so well and fighting so hard.  Best that I had seen her play in some time; to be fair, she only played something like 4-5 matches total over the past year, so hard to get back into form (including confidence-wise).  Good job by Rennae S. in terms of helping her lately too.  :)  And Ajla T. fought a high-quality match (hadn't played her before either) and was very gracious in terms of her comments.

Have only caught a few glimpses of Shapo's matches at this slam.  I think that Leyla F. might still be alive in the doubles??  Not certain though.  Was Bianca A. playing any doubles?

And what is Milos R. up to these days?  Last I recall, he was dealing with an injury?  Haven't seen him play any tennis in what feels like age.  *Frances T. might be the last American man standing in the singles?  No, I see that Brandon Nakashima hasn't played his third round match yet.  Jenson Brooksby just lost to the very talented and young Carlos A (who I really like and admire; has a load of tennis sense and also seems like he's a very nice young man.  All of 19 now I think and already is winning 1000 events.

*He just took the first set against Diego S. in the tiebreak.

Looks like 5 American women still alive in the singles.

Happy watching!  :)

PD

....and p.s....Shapo is still alive; now 5-all in the fifth set.  :)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 01, 2022, 11:31:17 AM
Pardon, and I'm trying my best to be kind, but did either of you read the articles that I had linked to...particularly (from what I remember) the first?  I do realize that I'm probably one of the few tennis enthusiasts  here and, yes, I don't know everything.  One of the things though that I read early on was that Raducanu had only hired him for a certain amount of time (through the US Open), which is different from him being her full-time employee/coach.  I don't know exactly what it is like to be a professional tennis player/life on tour/life for the coaches, etc., though I do read a number of articles/listen to stories, etc.  And, yes, at first, when I heard that about her coach, I was surprised, but also looked into it further.  From the bit more that I can find, it sounds like she was thinking smartly and realizing that he had limited experience in certain areas (like as far as him having been on the WTA Tour and from what she said "no") and that she would need more experienced help at her new level.  Please be so kind as to (if you haven't already) read those articles.  :)  And she also (according to an article) said that (along these lines) that it would be o.k. with her if she needed to go back to having basically no points and having to deal with Challenger matches, etc., and working her way back up and that she had [probably] missed certain lessons/experiences/knowledge, etc. that she needed to learn.  And that she was o.k. with that.  And, a reminder, she also had a dose of Covid and injuries to boot.  Food for thought gents.  :)

PD

I do not see the commitment or drive, PD. I am going to antagonise you even further by saying winning the US Open was a fluke which can occur in sport. I will eat my words if she wins another major tournament. Embarrassing and worrying how many companies queued up with open cheque books after her win. Emma is not the first young person to be given too much too soon and the sporting will to succeed sucked out of them. Happens on a regular basis in the world of football. Hope I'm wrong.       

Quote from: OrchestralNut on September 03, 2022, 11:02:18 AM
Hoping for Shapovalov to keep it going. He's the last remaining Canadian in the singles. Enjoyed watching Serena as well. The epitome of never giving an inch and never giving up.

Great intense matches so far!

Looked a bit into the doubles and mixed doubles and found an interesting one about how and when doubles partners can sometimes end up getting picked (and needn't do it until after the main draw at least in this case).  Nice to see who all Leyla Fernandez announced/asked about who she would like to play with in terms of mixed....Jack Sock being the first one mentioned.  :)  Look at the "opposites attract" article.

Quote from: Irons on September 04, 2022, 06:12:34 AM
I do not see the commitment or drive, PD. I am going to antagonise you even further by saying winning the US Open was a fluke which can occur in sport. I will eat my words if she wins another major tournament. Embarrassing and worrying how many companies queued up with open cheque books after her win. Emma is not the first young person to be given too much too soon and the sporting will to succeed sucked out of them. Happens on a regular basis in the world of football. Hope I'm wrong.       

It's o.k. to disagree and I do appreciate you being honest and sharing your points of view.  Have you read any (reputable) articles in which she's said something that made you think that she was blaming her coaches?  Again, from what I've read on this side of the pond, is that she was in her words (approximately) being unconventional and trying out various coaches in trial periods.  Mixed thoughts on that one for a several reasons which I don't want to get into now.  Last I heard, she was trying out Tursunov (a Russian coach who might have issues getting working visas [according to a past report reportedly from an Estonian female player who he was working with].  She likes the fact that he's direct with her and doesn't mince words and says what he thinks; I suspect that there are some coaches who have a harder time for whatever reason doing that.

In any event, I hope that she stays healthy and is able to figure things out.  :)

Your Cam Norrie is still in there and waiting to play his fourth round.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 04, 2022, 11:53:42 AM
Looked a bit into the doubles and mixed doubles and found an interesting one about how and when doubles partners can sometimes end up getting picked (and needn't do it until after the main draw at least in this case).  Nice to see who all Leyla Fernandez announced/asked about who she would like to play with in terms of mixed....Jack Sock being the first one mentioned.  :)  Look at the "opposites attract" article.
It's o.k. to disagree and I do appreciate you being honest and sharing your points of view.  Have you read any (reputable) articles in which she's said something that made you think that she was blaming her coaches?  Again, from what I've read on this side of the pond, is that she was in her words (approximately) being unconventional and trying out various coaches in trial periods.  Mixed thoughts on that one for a several reasons which I don't want to get into now.  Last I heard, she was trying out Tursunov (a Russian coach who might have issues getting working visas [according to a past report reportedly from an Estonian female player who he was working with].  She likes the fact that he's direct with her and doesn't mince words and says what he thinks; I suspect that there are some coaches who have a harder time for whatever reason doing that.

In any event, I hope that she stays healthy and is able to figure things out.  :)

Your Cam Norrie is still in there and waiting to play his fourth round.

PD

Pleased I have not upset you in any way, PD. My thinking is in more general terms and not Raducanu in particular. The most important attribute for an elite sports person is not physical but in the mind. I admire Andy Murray far more now then I have in the past. The physical disadvantages he has now to endure would cause 99% of players to retire. His tournament winning days are over but that is not of the greatest importance for him. He thrives on the adrenaline of competition on court, it's his fix. I may be mistaken, but I don't get the impression Raducanu is cut from the same cloth.   

Quote from: Irons on September 04, 2022, 11:35:02 PM
Pleased I have not upset you in any way, PD. My thinking is in more general terms and not Raducanu in particular. The most important attribute for an elite sports person is not physical but in the mind. I admire Andy Murray far more now then I have in the past. The physical disadvantages he has now to endure would cause 99% of players to retire. His tournament winning days are over but that is not of the greatest importance for him. He thrives on the adrenaline of competition on court, it's his fix. I may be mistaken, but I don't get the impression Raducanu is cut from the same cloth.

Well, time will tell.

Yes, hard to imagine that he is playing with a metal hip.  Bob Bryan (of the famous doubles team known as the Bryan Brothers) is the only (at least top) tennis player that I can think of who played towards the end of their career with a metal hip.  Andy had a decent run at the US Open and as we all know, it takes not just time nor practice but actual matches to get back in form and establish a winning streak.  How much longer he decides to play for, only he knows (and maybe not yet).

Today, the east coast is or will be getting some needed rain; however, this could also muck up the schedule of play at the US Open.  The two biggest courts (= Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong) have retractable roofs but the other gazillion courts do not.  Play doesn't start until 11 a.m. at the earliest on any of the courts.  So, we'll see how it goes!  I know, rain is needed there.  Tomorrow's forecast for Flushing Meadows is currently showing rain = 100%.  At worst, the men's and women's singles events will go on fine; however, all of the doubles, mixed-doubles and juniors' matches could get delayed/rescheduled.

By the way, your Cam Norrie is scheduled to play the young *ball-smashing Russian Rublev starting in about a half an hour (at 11 a.m.).
*not in a bad way (as in hitting the ball into the stands in frustration), but just really strong striking of the ball.

As an aside, there will be a new No. 1 in men's tennis by the end of this slam as Danil Medvedev lost last night.  Depending upon how the rest of the tournament goes, Rafa Nadal could actually be back at the top!  If not, it looks like it would be either the Norwegian Casper Ruud or the quite young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz who would take the elite and highly coveted ranking.  :)

PD

I'm with Rafa. He's this generation's version of my all-time favorite, Jimmy Connors.  $:)

Quote from: LKB on September 07, 2022, 12:13:34 AM
I'm with Rafa. He's this generation's version of my all-time favorite, Jimmy Connors.  $:)

;D

Alas, as far as I can tell, the race for number one is now between Ruud (which would be a first for Norway) and Alcaraz as Rafa is now out.  It's a bit confusing, but fun to check out the "live rankings" [which is new to men's tennis].  There's the official ATP rankings list which is updated every Monday morning except re slams since those last for two weeks AND there's now the *"Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings" which adjusts things match by match.  You can view that here:  https://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles/live

*One of the cool things about the live rankings is that they show you what the maximum number of points a tennis player could earn during that tournament, e.g., if they won the thing.  They also show what would be the next amount of points that they would earn (if they won their next match there) and also how the official number of points that they currently have.

They don't have the same live rankings for women's alas, so you would have to calculate that out for yourself (or follow tennis commentating closely...and let them do the work for you.  8)  ).

PD

Go Caroline Garcia !!

(I don't really follow tennis...but...you know...  :laugh: )

(https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/emoji-holding-french-flag-emoticon-waving-national-flag-france-d-rendering-emoji-holding-french-flag-emoticon-waving-national-108815722.jpg)

Quote from: Papy Oli on September 07, 2022, 06:19:38 AM
Go Caroline Garcia !!

(I don't really follow tennis...but...you know...  :laugh: )

(https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/emoji-holding-french-flag-emoticon-waving-national-flag-france-d-rendering-emoji-holding-french-flag-emoticon-waving-national-108815722.jpg)

lol  ;D  Yes, she's been having a great run at the slam.  Sorry, however, to see that Coco G. got knocked out.  :(

Some, hopefully, great matches coming up:  Iga Swiatek vs. Jessica Pegula and Garcia vs. Ons Jabur--for me anyway.  :)

Ruud and Alcaraz are probably my two favorites left on the men's side though I wouldn't be too upset if Frances T. ended up winning the slam.  ;) :)  I was really pulling for one last slam win for Rafa, but so it goes.  :'(

PD

A bit of trivia news from the commentators:  Currently Ruud and Alcarez could be ranked No. 1; however, if neither make it to the final (semis currently going on over the course of today and tonight), then Rafa retakes the No. 1 ranking.

Ruud of Norway is currently playing Khachanov of Russia:  Ruud one the first two sets and Khachanov is ahead 6-5 in the third.  Fingers crossed for Ruud!  And it's the best 3 sets out of 5 for the men (2 out of 3 for the women).

And it will be an Iga vs. Ons women's final.  I'm really looking forward to that one!

PD

Roger Federer has announced his pending retirement:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62911876

I salute the GOAT. Nadal is my current favorite and l acknowledge Djokovic, but peak Federer was beyond any player in history, imho.

Quote from: LKB on September 15, 2022, 07:07:48 AM
Roger Federer has announced his pending retirement:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62911876

I salute the GOAT. Nadal is my current favorite and l acknowledge Djokovic, but peak Federer was beyond any player in history, imho.

Not surprised to hear it; that said, it's still sad news.  :'(  Glad that he'll still be playing the Laver Cup.  I'm sure that he'll be missed in Basel though next year.

Have you caught any of the Davis Cup?  I watched a bit of it yesterday.  Good on Murray for playing again this year.  I suspect, though, that his end is in sight too.  It must be really hard to play with a metal hip!

Have you been playing at all lately LKB?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 15, 2022, 07:18:58 AM
Not surprised to hear it; that said, it's still sad news.  :'(  Glad that he'll still be playing the Laver Cup.  I'm sure that he'll be missed in Basel though next year.

Have you caught any of the Davis Cup?  I watched a bit of it yesterday.  Good on Murray for playing again this year.  I suspect, though, that his end is in sight too.  It must be really hard to play with a metal hip!

Have you been playing at all lately LKB?

PD

The last live tennis l watched was Rafa at Wimbledon. ( l don't have cable or satellite service at home, so l only get to see sports if l am visiting someone or at a sports bar etc. )

I haven't been able to play in 25 years or so, about the same time l had to give up the oboe.  Between age and some organ damage I have very poor physical stamina. But l still am keen on the game, and seeing Rafa in action is good enough.  8)

Quote from: LKB on September 15, 2022, 07:35:57 AM
The last live tennis l watched was Rafa at Wimbledon. ( l don't have cable or satellite service at home, so l only get to see sports if l am visiting someone or at a sports bar etc. )

I haven't been able to play in 25 years or so, about the same time l had to give up the oboe.  Between age and some organ damage I have very poor physical stamina. But l still am keen on the game, and seeing Rafa in action is good enough.  8)

Sorry to hear that about your health.

Good to hear that you still enjoy watching tennis despite everything.

Sometime you'll have to tell me who your favorite oboists and recordings are!  :)

PD

Federer is my favorite player! He was a best player in technical terms.

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on September 15, 2022, 01:36:28 PM
Federer is my favorite player! He was a best player in technical terms.

Yeah, he's (was?  :( ) my favorite too!

Looking forward to watching the Laver Cup.  Team Europe will be even mightier this year:  Roger, Rafa, Djokovic, Tsitsipas, Ruud and Murray.  God help Team World!  ???  Though looking at how some of the younger players have been playing lately, I'm giving them a chance (and some prayers  ;)).  And don't ever count out Diego.  :)  https://lavercup.com/team-world

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 15, 2022, 01:28:07 PM
Sorry to hear that about your health.

Good to hear that you still enjoy watching tennis despite everything.

Sometime you'll have to tell me who your favorite oboists and recordings are!  :)

PD

Thanks for the good wishes!

My favorite active oboist is Jonathan Kelly, one of the solo oboists of the Berlin Philharmonic. Like me, he was inspired to take up the instrument when he heard the playing of Lothar Koch, who was von Karajan's primary soloist. ( Karl Steins, Koch's orchestral partner, also was influential within the German school of the oboe during those years. But it is Koch who is more remembered now. )

I also have huge respect for Heinz Holliger. I audited a master class he gave at Stanford University back around 1980, and his evident commitment to artistic integrity was extraordinary, and very much on display when he worked with the participating oboists.

Years later l attended a concert when he performed with the San Francisco Symphony. He performed the E Flat Major concerto by C.P.E. Bach, which was unsurprisingly perfect. Then, he played an encore written specifically for him by, if memory serves, Luciano Berio.

I was floored.

Holliger's performance was very nearly unbelievable to me, a technical feat worthy of Heifetz or Kreisler. At one point he alternated between the lowest and highest notes of the instrument at split-second intervals, with flawless articulation and intonation. It would have been an impressive feat for any professional oboist in the audience. For me it was an astonishment.

My favorite Holliger recording is his Schumann collaboration with Alfred Brendel on Philips:

https://www.amazon.com/Works-Oboe-Piano-Schumann/dp/B000026E9Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=1BRYVDFSZOZQK&keywords=holliger+brendel+cd&qid=1663297381&sprefix=holliger+brendel+cd%2Caps%2C273&sr=8-7

My favorite recording of Lothar Koch as a soloist is:

https://www.amazon.com/STRAUSS-OBOE-CONCERTOS-KARAJAN-HAUPTMANN/dp/B004SB4UM6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=BATPB5OZW88Z&keywords=koch+strauss&qid=1663297486&sprefix=koch+strauss%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-2

Quote from: LKB on September 15, 2022, 07:07:00 PM
Thanks for the good wishes!

My favorite active oboist is Jonathan Kelly, one of the solo oboists of the Berlin Philharmonic. Like me, he was inspired to take up the instrument when he heard the playing of Lothar Koch, who was von Karajan's primary soloist. ( Karl Steins, Koch's orchestral partner, also was influential within the German school of the oboe during those years. But it is Koch who is more remembered now. )

I also have huge respect for Heinz Holliger. I audited a master class he gave at Stanford University back around 1980, and his evident commitment to artistic integrity was extraordinary, and very much on display when he worked with the participating oboists.

Years later l attended a concert when he performed with the San Francisco Symphony. He performed the E Flat Major concerto by C.P.E. Bach, which was unsurprisingly perfect. Then, he played an encore written specifically for him by, if memory serves, Luciano Berio.

I was floored.

Holliger's performance was very nearly unbelievable to me, a technical feat worthy of Heifetz or Kreisler. At one point he alternated between the lowest and highest notes of the instrument at split-second intervals, with flawless articulation and intonation. It would have been an impressive feat for any professional oboist in the audience. For me it was an astonishment.

My favorite Holliger recording is his Schumann collaboration with Alfred Brendel on Philips:

https://www.amazon.com/Works-Oboe-Piano-Schumann/dp/B000026E9Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=1BRYVDFSZOZQK&keywords=holliger+brendel+cd&qid=1663297381&sprefix=holliger+brendel+cd%2Caps%2C273&sr=8-7

My favorite recording of Lothar Koch as a soloist is:

https://www.amazon.com/STRAUSS-OBOE-CONCERTOS-KARAJAN-HAUPTMANN/dp/B004SB4UM6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=BATPB5OZW88Z&keywords=koch+strauss&qid=1663297486&sprefix=koch+strauss%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-2

Thank you for your thoughts; I'll check out the recordings.  You should start an oboe thread--if there isn't one there already and copy this over there (or ask a mod to move it for you) as I'm sure that others would enjoy reading this post--and contributing to it too!  :)

PD

p.s.  I'm a big Holliger fan too.  I don't know of Lothar Koch though.

Looks like Roger will only be playing one match at Laver Cup:  a doubles one Friday night.  Hope that it is with Rafa.  It would be fun to see them play doubles together again.   :)

Laver Cup starts this Friday at 1300 in the UK; 8 a.m. EST.

PD

My wife and myself will be watching Federer's last match tonight.
I will have to assist my wife in dispelling her grief by helping her to consume some French Red in order to ease her pain.  ;D

Hopefully he'll give everyone something memorable... one last SABR perhaps?

Quote from: aligreto on September 23, 2022, 05:58:49 AM
My wife and myself will be watching Federer's last match tonight.
I will have to assist my wife in dispelling her grief by helping her to consume some French Red in order to ease her pain.  ;D

Could you please send a bottle my way too?  :(

In any event, glad that you can watch it!

Team World is struggling though Jack Sock almost beat Casper Ruud.  Though almosts in sports don't count for much (other than watching a good match).

Taking a break from cooking and KP duty to watch the second set with Tsitsipas and Schwartzman.

Quote from: LKB on September 23, 2022, 07:11:20 AM

Hopefully he'll give everyone something memorable... one last SABR perhaps?

I want to see those singlehanded down the line shots along with a couple of tweeners and those serves which he manages to disguise where he's aiming for so well!  ;D  Will you be watching it from a friend's house or at a sports bar LKB?

PD

I'll have to catch up via the internet over the next few days, once I'm off work. Right now sleep takes precedence...

Quote from: LKB on September 23, 2022, 01:16:34 PM
I'll have to catch up via the internet over the next few days, once I'm off work. Right now sleep takes precedence...

Sorry to hear that.  Sweet dreams.
PD

There were very moving scenes on the court at the end of Federer's playing career. Irrespective of what happened on the court, what struck me as the most poignant aspect of the whole event was the camaraderie between Federer and Rafa. That was joyous to behold.

Quote from: aligreto on September 23, 2022, 04:51:31 PM
There were very moving scenes on the court at the end of Federer's playing career. Irrespective of what happened on the court, what struck me as the most poignant aspect of the whole event was the camaraderie between Federer and Rafa. That was joyous to behold.

Yes, you could certainly see the real friendship there.  ❤️ Probably not a lot of dry eyes in that stadium; mine sprung a leak (or two...or three) when I was watching here.  Must have been hard too today for Roger to walk back out on the court with Team Europe.  Heard also that Rafa won't be playing any more at this year's Laver Cup.  I suspect that he rallied himself to play with Roger one last time.

PD

EDIT:  Wonder how much sleep Roger managed to get last night--between any post-match interviews/press and all of the emotions going through him, his family, his team, etc.?

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 24, 2022, 04:32:29 AM
Yes, you could certainly see the real friendship there.  ❤️ Probably not a lot of dry eyes in that stadium; mine sprung a leak (or two...or three) when I was watching here.  Must have been hard too today for Roger to walk back out on the court with Team Europe.  Heard also that Rafa won't be playing any more at this year's Laver Cup.  I suspect that he rallied himself to play with Roger one last time.

PD

EDIT:  Wonder how much sleep Roger managed to get last time--between any post-match interviews/press and all of the emotions going through him, his family, his team, etc.?

I suspect that you may well be correct there PD.

Quote from: aligreto on September 24, 2022, 05:36:29 AM
I suspect that you may well be correct there PD.

Good things ahead for Rafa:  If all goes well, he's due to become a daddy.   :)

How did your wife deal with the match and the closing tribute?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on September 24, 2022, 06:11:07 AM

How did your wife deal with the match and the closing tribute?

PD

I suspect that she shed a silent tear or two but she did not pretend. She enjoyed the occasion and, of course, regretted the fact that she will no longer see him playing. She has been a lifelong fan.

Quote from: aligreto on September 24, 2022, 07:22:40 AM
I suspect that she shed a silent tear or two but she did not pretend. She enjoyed the occasion and, of course, regretted the fact that she will no longer see him playing. She has been a lifelong fan.

There's a ton of Federer on YouTube, going back over twenty years. Anyone needing a " Federer fix " will have no trouble.  ;)

Quote from: LKB on September 24, 2022, 07:27:59 AM
There's a ton of Federer on YouTube, going back over twenty years. Anyone needing a " Federer fix " will have no trouble.  ;)

She has probably watched every one of them  ;D

Quote from: LKB on September 24, 2022, 07:27:59 AM
There's a ton of Federer on YouTube, going back over twenty years. Anyone needing a " Federer fix " will have no trouble.  ;)

Quote from: aligreto on September 24, 2022, 07:37:00 AM
She has probably watched every one of them  ;D

She and I both!  Or at least 80% of them.  :D

We may not have to wait too too long to see him again--though probably not playing--as it sounded like he wants to still be involved in the tennis world in one form or another.  Who knows, perhaps he might want to establish an academy?  Or be available to coach certain players for short periods of times?  Or help Swiss kids with their tennis or??  I can't see him though going back to being a ball kid in Basle--not with his bum knee!

PD

Team World is (knock on wood) doing its best ever so far at the Laver Cup [and I dare not say this very loudly as I will end up jinxing them!].  We have yet to win the darn thing.  Fingers are crossed here.  Novak and Felix and currently playing singles.  Today's the last day of it.  Matches are now worth 3 points each and the first team to 13 points wins.  Team Europe is currently ahead 8-7.

PD

Anyone else watching any of the matches from the Australian Open 2023?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on January 16, 2023, 02:09:03 AMAnyone else watching any of the matches from the Australian Open 2023?

PD

No one here?  :o  :(

The time difference makes it a bit rough on my body to catch much of it live.  I've caught some live and highlights of other matches in replay.  Really rough to see Rafa out due to hip injury, but (like always) he gave it his all--could have just retired after his medical time out, but he refused to go that way and still competed.

And well done to Murray in his long fight against Berrettini.

Did watch some chunks of Radacanu vs. Gauff.  Best playing that I've seen from Emma in ages.  Hope that things work out well for her with her new coach.  And, I must admit, that I was very pleased by Coco's performance too.  ;D

PD

I must admit, since Roger's retirement my interest in the game has changed. I'm spending more time watching videos of old matches featuring my old favorite, Jimmy Connors vs. Borg, Lendl, McEnroe etc.

But I'll probably find my way back to the current scene at some point, watching Rafa is a lot like watching Jimbo at times.  ;D

Quote from: LKB on January 18, 2023, 07:37:40 PMI must admit, since Roger's retirement my interest in the game has changed. I'm spending more time watching videos of old matches featuring my old favorite, Jimmy Connors vs. Borg, Lendl, McEnroe etc.

But I'll probably find my way back to the current scene at some point, watching Rafa is a lot like watching Jimbo at times.  ;D

Well, after Rafa's latest injury and given his age, come back soon as I suspect that he won't be playing much longer.  I think we'll know more soon once he gets his hip examined and diagnosed.

And, yes, I miss Roger too.  :(

Enjoy your "vintage" matches!  :)

PD

Quote from: LKB on January 18, 2023, 07:37:40 PMI must admit, since Roger's retirement my interest in the game has changed. I'm spending more time watching videos of old matches featuring my old favorite, Jimmy Connors vs. Borg, Lendl, McEnroe etc.

But I'll probably find my way back to the current scene at some point, watching Rafa is a lot like watching Jimbo at times.  ;D

I'm not a fan of the attitudes and demeanors of some of these players in that generation, specially American nationals. I find the tennis players today better educated and behave nice.

Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on January 19, 2023, 05:21:13 AMI'm not a fan of the attitudes and demeanors of some of these players in that generation, specially American nationals. I find the tennis players today better educated and behave nice.

I agree, Connors and McEnroe could both be jerks, and while there are still a few " problematical " pros on the tour l don't think they get the same level of attention. It's hard to imagine Rafa or Federer acting up in that way. Djokovic though, if he were ever pushed hard enough, maybe...

I don't recall the year atm, but on one occasion McEnroe defaulted out of the Australian Open after one f-bomb too many. Anyway, while I'll acknowledge McEnroe's abilities l was never a fan.

It was Connors who got me interested in tennis in the first place, in 1974. When he was focused and playing well, he was as exciting as anyone who ever picked up a racquet, before or since. And he still holds a couple of records which may never be matched: five US Open titles on three surfaces, and 109 pro titles overall.

His memoir, The Outsider, is recommended.

How did Andy Murray do that! Goes to prove what gritty determination can overcome even with a metal hip joint.

Quote from: Irons on January 20, 2023, 01:44:59 AMHow did Andy Murray do that! Goes to prove what gritty determination can overcome even with a metal hip joint.

It was amazing to watch!  Did you catch any of that match Lol?

I came in part way through the second set.  Thanasi was playing the best that I had ever seen him play before.  Really impressive playing from both of them.  Grueling match (5 hours and 45 min. and going until I think that I was around 4 a.m. when they finished?).

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on January 20, 2023, 01:56:32 AMIt was amazing to watch!  Did you catch any of that match Lol?

I came in part way through the second set.  Thanasi was playing the best that I had ever seen him play before.  Really impressive playing from both of them.  Grueling match (5 hours and 45 min. and going until I think that I was around 4 a.m. when they finished?).

PD

I was just going to bed when reported on the news that Murray was two sets down and lost his serve on the third set. I said to the wife that's him gone then. I could not believe it on learning the next morning that he had won the match. Some comeback!

Iga Swiatek holds off Karolina Muchova to win thrilling women's final

Quote from: Karl Henning on June 10, 2023, 08:08:37 AMIga Swiatek holds off Karolina Muchova to win thrilling women's final

Oh, nice!  Glad that you were able to watch it.  I might watch the recording that I have of it (I was busy doing some yard work earlier today).  I do really appreciate Iga's grit/determination/talent and was favoring her to win.  Still nice to see Muchova (who was unseeded) fighting and taking out some of the top seeds and get her way into the final.

I won't be able to see the men's finals live tomorrow but have set that up to be recorded.  Was disappointed how the semi-final went between Djokovic and Alcaraz.  Great first two sets and then sadly Carlos was struggling with bad cramping issues.  I suspect that Novak will win RG.  If he does that, he becomes the leader of the most grand slams won by a man (and I believe ties Serena for total number of slams won in the Open Era).  I do really like Caspar Ruud's game--and also his composure on the court and good attitude towards both the game and his opponents.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 10, 2023, 09:00:58 AMOh, nice!  Glad that you were able to watch it.  I might watch the recording that I have of it (I was busy doing some yard work earlier today).  I do really appreciate Iga's grit/determination/talent and was favoring her to win.  Still nice to see Muchova (who was unseeded) fighting and taking out some of the top seeds and get her way into the final.

I won't be able to see the men's finals live tomorrow but have set that up to be recorded.  Was disappointed how the semi-final went between Djokovic and Alcaraz.  Great first two sets and then sadly Carlos was struggling with bad cramping issues.  I suspect that Novak will win RG.  If he does that, he becomes the leader of the most grand slams won by a man (and I believe ties Serena for total number of slams won in the Open Era).  I do really like Caspar Ruud's game--and also his composure on the court and good attitude towards both the game and his opponents.

PD

@Karl Henning,

Will you be watching the men's tomorrow?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 10, 2023, 09:05:26 AM@Karl Henning,

Will you be watching the men's tomorrow?

PD

I'll miss it, PD. Stuff to do tomorrow when I'm back home from church.

Grats to Ms. Swiatek, and to Ms. Muchova as well. 8)

Props to Mr. Murray, there's nothing more exciting than an epic comeback and l would have liked to have seen that one.

I can't help saying it: l miss Roger...

Ah well. Maybe Rafa and come back next year and shock everyone, though the odds are against that happening.

Now l have to try and find my Djokovic voodoo doll, maybe l can get him to trip over his ego.  >:D

Quote from: LKB on June 11, 2023, 02:09:20 AMI can't help saying it: l miss Roger...

LKB,

Well, if you go to the Wimbledon website, you'll see a lovely video of him and Kate interviewing the ball kids and *learning how to do their jobs (plus a bit of them playing).  Wonder if Roger will stick around to watch some of the matches (quallies this week)?  Or maybe come back to watch any of the finals?  Last I heard, he wasn't interested in commentating.

*Though Roger started off as a ball kid, so nothing new for him!  Interesting though to see the training that the kids go through.  :)

Question for anyone here: Is there a way to watch all (or specific) qualifying rounds in the US?  I'm able to watch via ESPN+ (currently the men's Q.s) but only on the Stadium Court (occasionally, they will cut away to another court, but not for very long).

PD

Anybody here watching Wimbledon (2023)?

One of the special things which I caught a bit of (hoping that I can watch the whole thing) was a special honoring of Roger Federer in terms of his having won the most Championship (Wimbledon grand slam) titles on the men's side.  If you go to youtube there are currently two postings by Wimbledon there.  It hit me when it was announced that he will be sitting in the royal box (and was waiting to enter it), you could see him swallowing a lump in his throat.  So pleased to see the reception that he was given; you could tell too that it meant a lot to him.  There's a separate clip of what apparently was showed to the people there in honor of his Wimbledon wins.

That said, there are a number of players from other countries (both in the men's and women's sides) who I do really appreciate and admire.  Who are your favorites and thoughts?  And what matches have you watched and also want to watch coming up?  :)

PD

Impressive play in the first set by Fery (who I hadn't heard of before now).  I was busy watching Burrage on Centre Court (believe that she's still playing).  A rough opening set of her against Kasatkina, but she started to regroup in the second.  Heard that Federer is again at Wimbledon.  Andy Murray's post-match comment made me laugh.  He was talking about the last time that he saw Roger watching a match of his was at the Olympics and he was in Stan W's box cheering him on and that it was nice for him (Roger) to be cheering him on for a change.  ;D  If you scroll down a bit, there's a video called "Murray on the mic.....".  There's also a really nice interview with the [also] recently retired Sue Barker with Roger Federer in a garden at Wimbledon.

Very impressed with the serve and volleying and tactics that I've seen by Britain's Arthur Fery.  I was guessing that this would be a fairly straight-forward win by Medvedev, but AF is currently giving DM a run for the money!

PD

I watched the highlights of the Katie Boulter v Elena Rybakina match. Boulter was completely outclassed and everything was over in under an hour.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 09, 2023, 12:25:00 AMI watched the highlights of the Katie Boulter v Elena Rybakina match. Boulter was completely outclassed and everything was over in under an hour.

Well, hopefully her game will continue to improve.  I did notice that she has won her first tournament this year (in Nottingham).  :)

There are a bunch of women who I like and respect not just their game but also how they've come across as a person--like Jabeur, Swiatek, Kvitova, Keys...and more.

On the men's side, I'd love to see Alcarez win it, but I suspect that Djokovic will yet again.  He seems to be (currently) invincible!

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 09, 2023, 03:34:40 AMWell, hopefully her game will continue to improve.  I did notice that she has won her first tournament this year (in Nottingham).  :)

There are a bunch of women who I like and respect not just their game but also how they've come across as a person--like Jabeur, Swiatek, Kvitova, Keys...and more.

On the men's side, I'd love to see Alcarez win it, but I suspect that Djokovic will yet again.  He seems to be (currently) invincible!

PD

Stupid voodoo doll must be defective...

< Look's closely at the doll's back and reads, " Made in the Republic of Serbia ". >

No wonder.  ::)

I occasionally dip in to Wimbledon when it's on, and today stumbled on a match between two names I'd never heard of, Mirra Andreeva and Anastasia Potapova, both Russian (though Andreeva lives in France). Andreeva is sixteen years old and apparently plans to exceed Djokovich's total of twenty three Grand Slam titles, which is a pretty extraordinary statement to be coming out with, without a single title in your pocket. But in the set-and-a-half I saw of her today it suddenly didn't seem quite so extraordinary. She was incredible, particularly in the light of the fact that her opponent was pretty dazzling too, but eventually had something of a meltdown in the face of the unmoveable force in front of her. Amazing to watch, and I'll be interested to see where she goes from here.

A talented young player with well- rounded skills ( especially footwork ) can be hugely entertaining, win or lose.

Check out Federer's early videos, or those of Yannick Noah, Michael Chang and Tracy Austin.  8)

Quote from: Iota on July 09, 2023, 06:05:55 AMI occasionally dip in to Wimbledon when it's on, and today stumbled on a match between two names I'd never heard of, Mirra Andreeva and Anastasia Potapova, both Russian (though Andreeva lives in France). Andreeva is sixteen years old and apparently plans to exceed Djokovich's total of twenty three Grand Slam titles, which is a pretty extraordinary statement to be coming out with, without a single title in your pocket. But in the set-and-a-half I saw of her today it suddenly didn't seem quite so extraordinary. She was incredible, particularly in the light of the fact that her opponent was pretty dazzling too, but eventually had something of a meltdown in the face of the unmoveable force in front of her. Amazing to watch, and I'll be interested to see where she goes from here.

I missed seeing their match live earlier (but did catch some of the commentary); I might watch some of the repeat online.  Hadn't heard her comment about planning to exceed Novak's record!  I suspect that she said that she wanted to.  :)

I thought that it was really cute/sweet that she was a big fan of Andy Murray, but that she was too shy to meet him.  I hope that he reaches out to her for at least a video chat.

PD

@vandermolen Boulter is currently playing mixed doubles with De Minaur.  Catch it while you can.

Jumping now between watching Svitolina and Azarenka and Swiatek vs. Bencic.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 09, 2023, 09:22:27 AM@vandermolen Boulter is currently playing mixed doubles with De Minaur.  Catch it while you can.

Jumping now between watching Svitolina and Azarenka and Swiatek vs. Bencic.

PD

Thanks PD. That's her boyfriend I think.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 09, 2023, 09:34:06 AMThanks PD. That's her boyfriend I think.

Sounds like it (from various articles online).  Lost in the tiebreaker but good fight by them.

Recently ran across this article--no idea how accurate it is nor know much about the reputation of the paper, but here you go:
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1788990/Emma-Raducanu-Katie-Boulter-Wimbledon-earnings

So much interesting women's tennis going on that I'm having trouble keeping up! Wow!  Azarenka just double-faulted and Svitolina is now 2-0 and serving (in the third set).

PD

Quote from: LKB on July 09, 2023, 06:16:00 AMA talented young player with well- rounded skills ( especially footwork ) can be hugely entertaining, win or lose.

Check out Federer's early videos, or those of Yannick Noah, Michael Chang and Tracy Austin.  8)

I do have a fleeting memory of Tracy Austin and her ponytails bouncing around Wimbledon in her heyday, but didn't watch much tennis back then either. The only player that really excited me was McEnroe. As Federer did (of the ones you list) later on.

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 09, 2023, 07:37:51 AMI thought that it was really cute/sweet that she was a big fan of Andy Murray, but that she was too shy to meet him.  I hope that he reaches out to her for at least a video chat.

PD

Yes, she did seem like a sweet sixteen-year-old when she was interviewed. On court she's a far more ruthless and authoritative figure though, but the crowd certainly seemed to love her still.

Quote from: Iota on July 09, 2023, 11:23:59 AMI do have a fleeting memory of Tracy Austin and her ponytails bouncing around Wimbledon in her heyday, but didn't watch much tennis back then either. The only player that really excited me was McEnroe. As Federer did (of the ones you list) later on.

Yes, she did seem like a sweet sixteen-year-old when she was interviewed. On court she's a far more ruthless and authoritative figure though, but the crowd certainly seemed to love her still.

Finally watching M.A. play (against Madison Keys) now.  Mirra was playing very well, but Maddy was playing well, lack lustardly(?) until finally finding her game in the second set.  Hope that it goes into a third set.

And, yes, I remember watching a young Tracy Austin (petite and with pigtails) playing on court.  By the way her son Brandon Holt has played in a couple of slams; alas, he was beaten in the quallies at Wimbledon this year.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 10, 2023, 03:21:48 AMFinally watching M.A. play (against Madison Keys) now.  Mirra was playing very well, but Maddy was playing well, lack lustardly(?) until finally finding her game in the second set.  Hope that it goes into a third set.

And, yes, I remember watching a young Tracy Austin (petite and with pigtails) playing on court.  By the way her son Brandon Holt has played in a couple of slams; alas, he was beaten in the quallies at Wimbledon this year.

PD

That was a surprising ending to that match!  :o

Contemplating watching the live match between Swiatek and Svitolina this morning (my time); however, that means giving in for at least a short time and upgrading my cable service.

PD

Oh, my!  Great job by Svitolina in the first set (listening to the commentary whilst watching the match on No. 1 court).  Delay while they were closing the roof(s).  Good to see that she didn't lose her momentum going into the second set against Swiatek.

Meanwhile, I'm pleased to see that the American Jessica Pegula won the second set against the Czech player Vondrousova.

PD

Congrats to Marketa Vondrousova, Women's Singles Champion for 2023.  8)

Quote from: LKB on July 15, 2023, 06:42:13 AMCongrats to Marketa Vondrousova, Women's Singles Champion for 2023.  8)

Well done by her!  Pretty amazing that she had only ever played 4 matches on grass prior to her tear through Wimbledon.

I did feel my heartstrings tugged at by what Ons was going through.  Sadly, I think that she was feeling the weight of not just the moment/event, but also what that would mean for many other people.  I do believe that she will manage to come through and win at least one slam before she retires.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 15, 2023, 12:41:29 PMPretty amazing that she had only ever played 4 matches on grass prior to her tear through Wimbledon

A quick study!

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 15, 2023, 12:41:29 PMWell done by her!  Pretty amazing that she had only ever played 4 matches on grass prior to her tear through Wimbledon.

I did feel my heartstrings tugged at by what Ons was going through.  Sadly, I think that she was feeling the weight of not just the moment/event, but also what that would mean for many other people.  I do believe that she will manage to come through and win at least one slam before she retires.

PD

Even

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 15, 2023, 12:41:29 PMWell done by her!  Pretty amazing that she had only ever played 4 matches on grass prior to her tear through Wimbledon.

I did feel my heartstrings tugged at by what Ons was going through.  Sadly, I think that she was feeling the weight of not just the moment/event, but also what that would mean for many other people.  I do believe that she will manage to come through and win at least one slam before she retires.

PD

Even more amazing the first unseeded Wimbledon Woman's champion.

If ever a match has proved tennis at this level is played as much in the head.

Quote from: Irons on July 16, 2023, 02:29:40 AMEven
Even more amazing the first unseeded Wimbledon Woman's champion.

If ever a match has proved tennis at this level is played as much in the head.

Yes, I heard them mention that too (re seeding).

And, I agree:  it must be quite a battle both on the court against ones opponent and against ones self.

Looking forward to the men's final today [Raining hard here again today...no going outside for me at the moment!]

PD

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 15, 2023, 12:41:29 PMWell done by her!  Pretty amazing that she had only ever played 4 matches on grass prior to her tear through Wimbledon.

If the article I read was correct, Carlos Alcaraz had only played 12 matches on grass coming into this year. So it is a real year for the inexperienced! I'll be rooting for him here in a few minutes  8)

Quote from: Brian on July 16, 2023, 04:58:32 AMIf the article I read was correct, Carlos Alcaraz had only played 12 matches on grass coming into this year. So it is a real year for the inexperienced! I'll be rooting for him here in a few minutes  8)

I was cheering for him and pleased that he won.  The friend who watched it with me was cheering for Novak, but was impressed with the young tennis player's game.  Hard day for Novak as I know that he's itching to win more slams.  There's no way that you win that many slams and top events without the desire, drive and belief that you can do it.  I heard some of the post- match(?) interviews with the two.  Loved how Novak said that Carlos was a young and hungry player, but that he was also still hungry and said something like:  "Let the feast begin!".  ;D

So glad too that the match improved in the second set.  By the end of the first, I was thinking that this will be over soon and a sad match to watch.  High quality playing in the end by both of them.

PD

p.s.  And Alcaraz won Queen's in his first attempt too!  Talk about coming from 0-60 in 10 seconds! In his on court interview too Novak said something about "I knew that you were good/dangerous on clay and hardcourt, but didn't know that you were also dangerous on grass." [Sorry, I forget the exact words.]  :o Did you enjoy the match, Brian?

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 16, 2023, 11:57:06 AMDid you enjoy the match, Brian?

Goodness! After that first set, like you, I thought, this is going to be sad. Alcaraz was so jittery, so badly overpowering the ball and hitting it out of bounds...they weren't even getting to do volleys. I thought he was completely unprepared and it was going to be miserable.

Honestly, the mental fortitude that it took him to recover from that set was really amazing to me. The fact that he came out for the second set with his adjustments made - the TV guys said it was like he was learning how to play on grass live, point by point - but also the fact that he shook that first set off and obviously thought, somehow, "I can do this." Like he had taken Djokovic's biggest punch and thought, "I know how to beat that," and started punching right back. The next two sets were amazing to me, especially the 26 minute game that almost felt like a battle to the death.

Honestly, I spent the first half-hour of the match observing all of Djokovic's strengths (his insane defensive skill, his ability to return almost any "kill shot," his durability, the relentless way he stayed prepared for every point) and so for the second half of the game, watching Alcaraz slowly get into his head was astonishing. It was like watching the Terminator get defeated! Or a robot get deprogrammed.

I loved the fact that Djokovic passed (threw actually) his smashed racquet to his most vocal supporter in the crowd. A lifetime conversation piece if you hung it on the wall. 

Quote from: Brian on July 16, 2023, 12:41:54 PMGoodness! After that first set, like you, I thought, this is going to be sad. Alcaraz was so jittery, so badly overpowering the ball and hitting it out of bounds...they weren't even getting to do volleys. I thought he was completely unprepared and it was going to be miserable.

Honestly, the mental fortitude that it took him to recover from that set was really amazing to me. The fact that he came out for the second set with his adjustments made - the TV guys said it was like he was learning how to play on grass live, point by point - but also the fact that he shook that first set off and obviously thought, somehow, "I can do this." Like he had taken Djokovic's biggest punch and thought, "I know how to beat that," and started punching right back. The next two sets were amazing to me, especially the 26 minute game that almost felt like a battle to the death.

Honestly, I spent the first half-hour of the match observing all of Djokovic's strengths (his insane defensive skill, his ability to return almost any "kill shot," his durability, the relentless way he stayed prepared for every point) and so for the second half of the game, watching Alcaraz slowly get into his head was astonishing. It was like watching the Terminator get defeated! Or a robot get deprogrammed.

Yes, that 26 minute plus game was amazing.  I was thinking at the time that whomever won that game was going to let out a roar and feel a surge of energy and confidence/strength.

Quote from: Irons on July 17, 2023, 07:13:18 AMI loved the fact that Djokovic passed (threw actually) his smashed racquet to his most vocal supporter in the crowd. A lifetime conversation piece if you hung it on the wall. 

He seemed to be delighted by the gift.  :)

Wonder whether or not he was fined by Wimbledon for dinging the tennis post?  I suspect so.

Just googled and read this:  "His angry reaction left a number of dents in the wooden post and he has since been fined £6,150 as a result of his hot-headed antics, according to the Daily Mail."  The above was from an article in the Express.

PD

Leo Borg won his first tour-level win on Tuesday.  If the name sounds somewhat familiar, yes, he's the son of Bjorn Borg.  He's 20 years old and is currently playing in Bastad, Sweden.  Hope that his mom and dad were there to see him win.  His live ranking now is about 437.

Alas, I missed seeing it.  They (Tennis Channel) is currently going between a couple of different events including one in Switzerland.

PD

I watched the Men's Final whilst on holiday and was really pleased that Alcaraz won. It was a great match.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 22, 2023, 10:22:21 PMI watched the Men's Final whilst on holiday and was really pleased that Alcaraz won. It was a great match.

On holiday at Wimbledon?  8)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 23, 2023, 03:02:32 AMOn holiday at Wimbledon?  8)

PD

HAHA
Watched it on the TV in our nice holiday cottage in Anglesey.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 23, 2023, 03:21:27 AMHAHA
Watched it on the TV in our nice holiday cottage in Anglesey.

;D Rainy day viewing?

I'm glad that I stuck with it...though it does mean a lot of sitting.  Would love to visit Wimbledon sometime.

PD

p.s.  Alcaraz is currently playing in the Hopman Cup (which wraps up today).  Not much of a break between Wimbledon and when the H.C. started.

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 23, 2023, 03:25:15 AM;D Rainy day viewing?

I'm glad that I stuck with it...though it does mean a lot of sitting.  Would love to visit Wimbledon sometime.

PD

p.s.  Alcaraz is currently playing in the Hopman Cup (which wraps up today).  Not much of a break between Wimbledon and when the H.C. started.

It was on in the evening over here - when we got back from hiking/visiting places.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 23, 2023, 12:28:37 PMIt was on in the evening over here - when we got back from hiking/visiting places.

O.k., so glad that you weren't using your time away on a sunny day to watch tennis.   ;)

PD

A bit of interesting news:  Novak has decided to pass on competing at the Roger's Cup (a 1,000 event in Canada) citing fatigue.  Next event that he will play at is the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, OH.  Think that that one starts on Aug. 14th.  Carlitos, meanwhile, will be defending the points that he won last year in Canada and hoping to add to them...and then will be heading on to Cinci.

PD

Anyone here watching any of the tennis from the US Open?

There's currently a very good match between Dimitrov and Murray.

PD

Well, l was rooting for Andy. I hope he decides to return next year.

Quote from: LKB on September 01, 2023, 04:00:51 AMWell, l was rooting for Andy. I hope he decides to return next year.

I was too.  Still it was good to see Grigor back playing a high level of tennis.  His is a very elegant style which is enjoyable to watch.  A good match by both; I particularly enjoyed the first few games of the first set.  Loved to see how they clicked rackets in passing after some remarkable shots on both ends including the amazing get by Andy to finish the point.  Love to see good sportsmanship.  :)

Some big upsets on the men's side early on:  Tsitsipas is out along with Ruud.  On the women's side, I did notice that Wozniacki, who decided to return to tennis after (I believe) being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, took out Kvitova and is now into round 3.

Sad to see that John Isner is now retiring.  Jack Sock (with whom he played doubles and had a good run in that area) is retiring too--but moving on to pickle ball.

PD

Pretty amazing that Novak D. now has won 24 grand slams.  Must admit (and nothing against Danil M.), but I was hoping that the final would have been between Novak and Carlitos A. as Carlitos has a much larger set of tools (as in skills) at his disposal and thought that this would make for a more competitive final.

Delighted for Coco G. to have won her first final--and at such a young age too.  She's the first teenager to have won it since Serena W. did.

Did anyone else here watch any of the tennis finals?  If so, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.  :)

PD

I've managed to watch some of the matches from Indian Wells (a 1000 event).  Yesterday, there was something that I hadn't seen before:  a bee swarm which stopped the match between Alcaraz and Zverev for almost two hours!  This guy was a hero (including safely rescuing the bees and releasing them into--from what I understand--hives that he has).  Amazed that he wasn't wearing any kind of protective suit!

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/beekeeper-gets-alcaraz-zverev-back-on-court-in-indian-wells

PD

Monte-Carlo

Clay season....  :) Loved this video about the best shots at M-C. (over the years).   Great shots and also really appreciated the what I think were honestly genuine comments in appreciation of the shots.  As an aside, I hadn't seen the shot of Novak on his knees--after a brutal 85 shot rally which Nadal won.  :o  Kudos to Novak and others for their comments on Nadal's special shots and the other ones which they saw. ❤️

https://www.atptour.com/en/video/best-plays-of-montecarlo-relive-unforgettable-shots-including-nadaldjokovic-stunner

Nadal returns to clay today (in Barcelona)!  Hoping that he stays injury free from now on--particularly as, he said, that this would be his last year playing tennis.  He's up next after the match between Rublev and Nakashima is over.  It could either be quite soon (if Nakashima wins this tiebreak) or after a third set.

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 16, 2024, 06:30:39 AMNadal returns to clay today (in Barcelona)!  Hoping that he stays injury free from now on--particularly as, he said, that this would be his last year playing tennis.  He's up next after the match between Rublev and Nakashima is over.  It could either be quite soon (if Nakashima wins this tiebreak) or after a third set.

Go Rafa!  :D

Quote from: LKB on April 16, 2024, 12:12:54 PMGo Rafa!  :D

Wait, but "cheesy face emoji"?  Do you have respect for him as a player and as a person?  Sorry, but I'm a bit confused here as to what you're saying.  :(

PD

Quote from: LKB on April 16, 2024, 12:12:54 PMGo Rafa!  :D

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 16, 2024, 12:40:23 PMWait, but "cheesy face emoji"?  Do you have respect for him as a player and as a person?  Sorry, but I'm a bit confused here as to what you're saying.  :(

PD

Sorry, but I'm not fluent in emoji-speak.  :-[

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 16, 2024, 04:37:39 PMSorry, but I'm not fluent in emoji-speak.  :-[

PD

No worries PD. Rest assured, l am always on Rafa's side. ;)

The main draws for Roland Garros were picked today and oh boy, there are some dozies for the first round including Murray vs. Wawrinka.  The biggest shocker:  Rafa Nadal faces off Sasha Zverev!   :o

On the women's side:  Naomi Osaka (currently unseeded), if she makes it through her first round, could face Iga S. in round two.

PD

Apparently, 2024 might not be the final year of Nadal's career?  In any event, a mind boggling next couple of days in terms of just the men's tennis....

PD

Anyone here watching the semi-final between Alcaraz and Sinner?  I came in part way (just before Sinner was apparently dealing with cramping issues in his right--serving--hand).

PD

Well, for those who might read this thread (and also to some of whom perhaps don't respond?), there's a new documentary which is only available on Amazon Prime.  It's of Roger Federer called "Federer: Final Twelve Days."  It comes out on this Friday.  FWIW, Amazon does also give a free 30 intro to their subscription.

There are several previews online.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 18, 2024, 11:42:54 AMWell, for those who might read this thread (and also to some of whom perhaps don't respond?), there's a new documentary which is only available on Amazon Prime.  It's of Roger Federer called "Federer: Final Twelve Days."  It comes out on this Friday.  FWIW, Amazon does also give a free 30 intro to their subscription.

There are several previews online.

PD

Thanks PD, l have Prime and will certainly look it up.  8)

Quote from: LKB on June 19, 2024, 06:09:12 AMThanks PD, l have Prime and will certainly look it up.  8)

Excellent!   :) Here's a preview:


PD

Anyone here watching Wimbledon, The Championships 2024?

Watched a touching and nice tribute to Andy Murray (who will be retiring soon.  Currently, he's still scheduled to play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu.  And maybe in the Olympics?).  They did the tribute post-match to his and his brother Jamie's men's doubles match.  Fitting that they held the match on Centre Court. 

Pleased to see that Emma Raducanu has, I think, settled on one coach for some time.  In any event, it's good to see her playing so well...particularly after three surgeries (two wrists and one ankle).

So many neat stories...Tiafoe vs. Alcaraz (Great to see Frances playing so well these days).

Anyway...would love to hear your thoughts.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 05, 2024, 11:10:51 AMPleased to see that Emma Raducanu has, I think, settled on one coach for some time.  In any event, it's good to see her playing so well...particularly after three surgeries (two wrists and one ankle).

PD

I'm not a tennis buff, and know nothing of the technicalities of the game, but I watched her three matches so far and very much enjoyed them. She's tremendously entertaining to watch, and her tennis strikes me as being remarkably ... what would the word be? Graceful? Beautiful? Neither word is quite right. It's as if she were born to play the game. John Ruskin would call it 'felicitous fulfilment of purpose'.

Quote from: Elgarian Redux on July 05, 2024, 11:07:12 PMI'm not a tennis buff, and know nothing of the technicalities of the game, but I watched her three matches so far and very much enjoyed them. She's tremendously entertaining to watch, and her tennis strikes me as being remarkably ... what would the word be? Graceful? Beautiful? Neither word is quite right. It's as if she were born to play the game. John Ruskin would call it 'felicitous fulfilment of purpose'.

I just checked the order of play and the draw for the mixed doubles.  Alas, I no longer saw Andy and Emma's names in the draw and figured that Andy had decided to pull out due to not feeling physically up to it.  I then checked the news area on Wimbledon's website.  It turns out that it was Emma who decided to withdraw; she's feeling some discomfort in her right wrist and wants to rest it before her singles match on Sunday.

PD

p.s.  There's currently a good battle going on in the third set between Zverev and Norrie.

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 06, 2024, 07:06:49 AMI just checked the order of play and the draw for the mixed doubles.  Alas, I no longer saw Andy and Emma's names in the draw and figured that Andy had decided to pull out due to not feeling physically up to it.  I then checked the news area on Wimbledon's website.  It turns out that it was Emma who decided to withdraw; she's feeling some discomfort in her right wrist and wants to rest it before her singles match on Sunday.

Just minutes ago I too discovered this information. Great shame, but I presume it's sensible: I'd hate her to have to pull out of the singles competition because she'd bashed it around in the doubles.

Quote from: Elgarian Redux on July 06, 2024, 07:49:10 AMJust minutes ago I too discovered this information. Great shame, but I presume it's sensible: I'd hate her to have to pull out of the singles competition because she'd bashed it around in the doubles.

She apparently was still out practicing today; wonder how she felt afterwards?

I caught the tiebreak between Norrie and Zverev (third set and Zverev had won the first two sets).  Very exciting!  :)

PD

I didn't catch this live but in replay.  From the commentators' perspective, they (the players) believed that due to the cheers from the crowd, England had beaten Switzerland in the Euros [happened in penalty kicks] and  Novak ended up kicking a tennis ball over the net to his opponent (like as in a penalty kick) with his opponent, Popyrin imitating a goalie.  https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/tennis/watch-novak-djokovic-hilariously-mimes-penalty-kick-as-his-wimbledon-3r-clash-interrupted-by-englands-euro-2024-qf-win-making-centre-court-erupt/ar-BB1pxslf

PD

I have to confess that I'm a seriously rubbish tennis fan. No, worse than that - I'm not really a tennis fan at all, though I have often enjoyed watching occasional matches. But there's something about Raducanu that makes me want to watch her play (and win, preferably). So I hope to watch this afternoon, probably while pedalling my exercise bike.

Quote from: Elgarian Redux on July 07, 2024, 12:15:19 AMI have to confess that I'm a seriously rubbish tennis fan. No, worse than that - I'm not really a tennis fan at all, though I have often enjoyed watching occasional matches. But there's something about Raducanu that makes me want to watch her play (and win, preferably). So I hope to watch this afternoon, probably while pedalling my exercise bike.

It sounds like you watch as much tennis as I do football!  :)  ;) I think that I might be able to watch the Raducanu match (which should be starting soon...She just walked onto the court).

PD

p.s.  I should get an exercise bike!

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 07, 2024, 07:56:10 AMIt sounds like you watch as much tennis as I do football!  :)  ;) I think that I might be able to watch the Raducanu match (which should be starting soon...She just walked onto the court).

PD

p.s.  I should get an exercise bike!

1. I never watch any football. 50 years ago I was once given a ticket to watch a football match for free, and I went with not an open mind exactly, but a mind at least slightly ajar. But I just didn't get what the fuss was all about, and left before half time.

2. I know nothing of course, but it seemed to me that Emma Raducanu was comprehensivly outplayed by Lulu Sun, who clearly deserved to win. So that's Wimbledon over, for me, for another year.

3. Yes, I heartily recommend getting an exercise bike (as long as you don't hope actually to get anywhere of course).

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 07, 2024, 07:56:10 AMIt sounds like you watch as much tennis as I do football!  :)  ;) I think that I might be able to watch the Raducanu match (which should be starting soon...She just walked onto the court).

PD

p.s.  I should get an exercise bike!

Mixed emotions watching the match. Felt sorry for Raducanu as the New Zealand girl was so obviously the better player on the day. On the other hand many sportsman play through pain and do not make a fuss like she does. I'm aware she has had surgery on both wrists and an ankle but now her back seems problematic. The fall did look jarring but seeing her flat on her back receiving physio on court for both knee and back and then carry on playing was a bit bizarre.

Quote from: Elgarian Redux on July 07, 2024, 11:13:58 AM1. I never watch any football. 50 years ago I was once given a ticket to watch a football match for free, and I went with not an open mind exactly, but a mind at least slightly ajar. But I just didn't get what the fuss was all about, and left before half time.

2. I know nothing of course, but it seemed to me that Emma Raducanu was comprehensivly outplayed by Lulu Sun, who clearly deserved to win. So that's Wimbledon over, for me, for another year.

3. Yes, I heartily recommend getting an exercise bike (as long as you don't hope actually to get anywhere of course).

Quote from: Irons on July 08, 2024, 07:53:28 AMMixed emotions watching the match. Felt sorry for Raducanu as the New Zealand girl was so obviously the better player on the day. On the other hand many sportsman play through pain and do not make a fuss like she does. I'm aware she has had surgery on both wrists and an ankle but now her back seems problematic. The fall did look jarring but seeing her flat on her back receiving physio on court for both knee and back and then carry on playing was a bit bizarre.

It's not uncommon for tennis players to get *on-court treatment.  Grass courts are also notoriously slippery particularly in the early days of a tournament and also in the evening when temps have dropped...a bit of rain too.  The baseline area gets worn down quickly but areas like near the net less so, so more likely to slip/fall/over-extend.  I imagine that it would also be jarring/unsettling to have ones legs suddenly slip out from under you.  Remember too that tennis is an **individual sport (o.k. not doubles).  Iga Swiatek (the No. 1 ranked women's tennis player) has won five grand slams:  four of those were Roland Garros (clay court) plus other events.  She hasn't made it past the quarter finals at Wimbledon.  She was beaten in the third round this year.  Everyone has their favorite surfaces.  The best of them figure out how to adapt.  Easier said than done.

**Yes, they do have their teams (which I believe they do cherish and realize that it's a team effort); in the end though, they are on the courts by themselves (coaching, with certain rules) is allowed now officially.

*If it's in certain areas, in the interests of privacy, the players will get off-court treatments.

And, yes, I was very impressed by the playing of Lulu Sun.  She was able to dictate play.  She has a lot to be proud of.

PD

That Alcaraz is a phenomenon! Strolling around the court like a jaguar, and striking with ferocity of one when needed. Poor Tommy Paul was playing brilliantly but seeming to get nowhere up against such extraordinary opposition. Breathtaking last few games which I watched.

Quote from: Iota on July 10, 2024, 01:26:14 AMThat Alcaraz is a phenomenon! Strolling around the court like a jaguar, and striking with ferocity of one when needed. Poor Tommy Paul was playing brilliantly but seeming to get nowhere up against such extraordinary opposition. Breathtaking last few games which I watched.

Yes, I love watching Carlitos!  Extremely talented, but also a great attitude and work ethic and comes across as a very likeable young man.   :)

Oh, no!  I just read that Alex de Minaur withdrew from his match against Novak Djokovic.  From the ATP website:  "I'm devastated, but I had to pull out due to a hip injury, a little tear of the fiber cartilage that is at the end to the adductor," De Minaur said. "I felt a loud crack during the last three points of my match against Fils and got a scan yesterday and it confirms that this was the injury. [There is] a high risk of making it worse if I was to step on court."  I was looking forward to watching that match.

Taylor Fritz:  the last American male left standing....

PD

Alcaraz vs. Djokovic?

Yes, please, as long as the kid wins... preferably hugely.  >:D

@LKB Alcaraz vs. Medvedev starting at 8:30 (East coast time) a.m. (like now)!

PD

And Alcaraz is on through to the Wimbledon final!  :)

Djokovic and Musetti will be up next....

PD

I can only watch women's tennis. I used to love watching the two A's: Anna Kournikova and Ana Ivanović. The sport itself became irrelevant when I watched these two beauties play.

@Iota

Excited to see that it will be a Djokovic vs. Alcaraz final.  Wondering how it will go?  Novak had maybe 3-4 days off (not certain when he had last played, but I suspect that it was on Monday).  He was next scheduled to play on Wednesday, but then got a walkover by de Mineur.  So, he's relatively well-rested.  As far as I can tell (and have heard re what I caught from the commentators), his knee doesn't appear to be a problem (amazed that he recuperated so well and quickly).

I was quite impressed by Musetti's playing; he has quite an arsenal of shots and didn't seem to be phased by playing on Centre court for the first time...well-done to him!

I'll have to catch the women's finals most likely in replay as I have a lot of other things to do tomorrow.  Just checked the times...alas, yep!  Krejcikova vs. Paolini.

Will you be watching any of the finals yourself Iota?  Wondering what the start times will be for the men's finals vs. the Euros.  Might be hard to watch both live.

PD

I'm also hoping to be able to watch both the men's final and the Euros. Alcaraz v Djokovic at the last Wimbledon was one of the most amazing things I saw all last year and am hoping the rematch lives up to that example.

... But am also hoping Carlos wins! In fact, Spain in both parts of the day!

That 13-minute first game was like an epic overture to the opera that will be the rest of the day.

Alcaraz' reaction speed is astonishing.

Wow, Novak now looks completely lost.

Quote from: Brian on July 12, 2024, 07:16:29 PMI'm also hoping to be able to watch both the men's final and the Euros. Alcaraz v Djokovic at the last Wimbledon was one of the most amazing things I saw all last year and am hoping the rematch lives up to that example.

... But am also hoping Carlos wins! In fact, Spain in both parts of the day!

Quote from: Brian on July 14, 2024, 05:32:02 AMThat 13-minute first game was like an epic overture to the opera that will be the rest of the day.

Alcaraz' reaction speed is astonishing.

Quote from: Brian on July 14, 2024, 06:01:15 AMWow, Novak now looks completely lost.

Carlos seems to be faltering a bit now.  Will be interesting to see whether or not Novak can figure  out the answer to the Spanish enigma.

PD

CARLOS!... CARLOS!... CARLOS!... CARLOS!...

Only the third and final set was really competitive. It had some good drama, though. Alcaraz is astonishing. I don't understand how he is able to cover the court so fully and defend some of Djokovic's attempted winners to the left and right.

But with Djokovic unable to get the ball over the net at times, and drawn up to the net far too often, it really wasn't as competitive as I expected.

Quote from: Brian on July 14, 2024, 08:01:10 AMOnly the third and final set was really competitive. It had some good drama, though. Alcaraz is astonishing. I don't understand how he is able to cover the court so fully and defend some of Djokovic's attempted winners to the left and right.

But with Djokovic unable to get the ball over the net at times, and drawn up to the net far too often, it really wasn't as competitive as I expected.

Novak was having a seriously bad day--particularly in terms of at the net.  Amazing though how quickly he was back playing after having had knee surgery.  Impressive that he was able to make it to the finals considering that.  And yes, I also think that the third set was the most competitive too.  Though did you catch the first game of the first set?!  Neither of them was willing to give up.  Kept going back and forth as to who had the advantage.

Loved one shot in particular:  Carlos was returning a shot.  He hit it leaping up into the air (doing a kind of split) and hit it down the sideline (can't remember whether or not it hit the baseline but it was very close).  Yes, he is remarkable to watch--love watching how he plays.  Super speedy too.  Also, he comes across as a very nice young man.  Lovely smile too.  :)

PD

Good for Carlos, l rather like the kid.

Nadal is playing clay court tennis with Casper Ruud in Båstad (an ATP 250 event in Sweden -- the Nordea Open).  Apparently Casper was asked if he'd be willing to play *doubles with him and agreed to it [According to some comments that I read, Casper said the he doesn't normally play doubles, but the two of them have a friendly relationship, so he said yes.  I suspect though that he was also delighted and honored to be ask by the King of Clay in his final year of playing tennis.].  They won their first round.  You can watch the highlights here:


*He'll be playing doubles in the Olympics with Carlos Alcaraz.

Rafa is also going to play singles there; I'll have to check the daily schedule.

PD

Nadal will be up soon (the earlier match finished about 5 minutes ago).  He'll be playing the Swede *Leo Borg.  If you get the Tennis Channel here in the US, they will be showing it.

*Leo is Bjorn Borg's son. :)

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 16, 2024, 06:14:23 AMNadal will be up soon (the earlier match finished about 5 minutes ago).  He'll be playing the Swede *Leo Borg.  If you get the Tennis Channel here in the US, they will be showing it.

*Leo is Bjorn Borg's son. :)

PD

I'll miss Rafa. Without him and Federer, only Alcaraz really interests me ( particularly if he can continue to frustrate Djokovic  >:D ).

As for Borg the younger, l've not seen him. He lost to Rafa, but he's only 21 and should certainly have at least some of his legendary dad's talent. Hopefully  he'll make Papa proud.

Quote from: LKB on July 16, 2024, 06:17:38 PMI'll miss Rafa. Without him and Federer, only Alcaraz really interests me ( particularly if he can continue to frustrate Djokovic  >:D ).

As for Borg the younger, l've not seen him. He lost to Rafa, but he's only 21 and should certainly have at least some of his legendary dad's talent. Hopefully  he'll make Papa proud.

I'll miss Rafa too.  FYI, he and Casper Ruud will be playing in doubles (2nd round) in a bit today.  I was surprised to see that Casper was knocked out of the singles today (by a Brazilian player that I don't know anything about).

Regarding Leo, here's his career info from the ATP website:

"(UPDATED 6 NOVEMBER 2021)

> Youngest player in Stockholm main draw is making his ATP Tour main draw debut and in his last junior tournament in Cape Town, RSA on 30 October reached the final.
> Has played in 5 Futures events (1-5 record), earning 1st ATP point in Antalya, TUR in May with 2R result. Also played in 4 Challengers (0-4), losing in 1R in Marbella, ESP; Tampere, FIN; Poznan, POL; and Warsaw, POL.
> Received qualifying WC in ATP Tour events in Marbella and Bastad and lost in 1R both times.
> Has played in Wimbledon juniors qualifying draw in 2019 (1R) and main draw in 2021 (2R). Also played in Roland Garros juniors this year, reaching 3R. Lost in 1R at US Open juniors.
> In February won Porto Alegre, BRA title as a qualifier and following month reached final in Santo Domingo, DOM.
> Began this season by winning San Jose, CRC juniors title, beating four Americans in final four rounds.
> Won Tel Aviv juniors title at the end of 2019. "

There's also more current info here:  https://www.atptour.com/en/players/leo-borg/b0jg/player-activity?matchType=Singles&year=2024&tournament=all

They haven't yet posted the results from Bastad there.  He fought a respectable battle against Rafa.

Hopefully, he'll continue to progress.  :)

Hot and sticky again here, so I'll be staying in my living room as much as possible!

Singles match just finished, so I expect that Rafa and Casper will be on court fairly soon.

PD

Nadal still alive in Båstad beating the British and fellow leftie Cameron Norrie (6-4, 6-4).  He's now into the quarter finals there in singles (as well as still alive in the doubles with the Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud).

PD

This comes from the " Why I miss Federer " folder.

At 1:54 he makes a shot I've never seen from anyone else, anywhere, in fifty years of watching tennis.

https://youtu.be/sp6LpqPOENc?si=njHXwo7QVrPLRmJX

Quote from: LKB on July 18, 2024, 05:22:07 PMThis comes from the " Why I miss Federer " folder.

At 1:54 he makes a shot I've never seen from anyone else, anywhere, in fifty years of watching tennis.

https://youtu.be/sp6LpqPOENc?si=njHXwo7QVrPLRmJX

I miss Federer too.  Tons of great shots from the Maestro.   :)

Currently, I'm watching Nadal playing an Argentinian player named Navone (ranked No. 36.  How does someone get up that high and I've never heard of him?  Boy, I'm getting old!).  Rafa was down 4-1 in the first set.  I went out to make some coffee and it was almost even.  Now, Rafa's ahead 6-5 and it's 40-all with Navone serving.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 19, 2024, 04:52:35 AMI miss Federer too.  Tons of great shots from the Maestro.  :)

Currently, I'm watching Nadal playing an Argentinian player named Navone (ranked No. 36.  How does someone get up that high and I've never heard of him?  Boy, I'm getting old!).  Rafa was down 4-1 in the first set.  I went out to make some coffee and it was almost even.  Now, Rafa's ahead 6-5 and it's 40-all with Navone serving.

PD

It's what makes Rafa, Rafa: He won't give up.

Just like my original tennis " hero ", who inspired me to take up the sport in my teens...

https://youtu.be/rNlGlhRB5C4?si=YgwxFOwODMb6-yyb

Quote from: LKB on July 19, 2024, 05:00:24 AMIt's what makes Rafa, Rafa: He won't give up.

Just like my original tennis " hero ", who inspired me to take up the sport in my teens...

https://youtu.be/rNlGlhRB5C4?si=YgwxFOwODMb6-yyb

Cool!  8)

He unfortunately lost the first set in the tiebreak.  He's now up 2-0 in the second.  You can follow the live score here:  https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/current/bastad/316/live-scores

Make that 3-0!  ;D

PD

Wow, that was quite the up and down match!  Almost 4 hours!  Wonder how he'll recover from it?  And he's scheduled to play two matches tomorrow (singles and doubles).

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 19, 2024, 07:59:54 AMWow, that was quite the up and down match!  Almost 4 hours!  Wonder how he'll recover from it?  And he's scheduled to play two matches tomorrow (singles and doubles).

PD

Rafa has been about as fit as anyone who ever held a raquet, aside from injuries. I've no doubt he'll be ready tomorrow, though he'll undoubtedly be feeling it.

Quote from: LKB on July 19, 2024, 04:04:44 PMRafa has been about as fit as anyone who ever held a raquet, aside from injuries. I've no doubt he'll be ready tomorrow, though he'll undoubtedly be feeling it.

He's also quite a bit older than most of his opponents and with a lot more wear and tear on his body.  Do you know about the pain management treatments that he has had for his feet?

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 19, 2024, 07:01:10 PMHe's also quite a bit older than most of his opponents and with a lot more wear and tear on his body.  Do you know about the pain management treatments that he has had for his feet?

PD

No, l don't.

But if he's in the last year of his career, he'll want every last match. He'll manage his pain... and hopefully some victories, as well.

Quote from: LKB on July 19, 2024, 09:18:23 PMNo, l don't.

But if he's in the last year of his career, he'll want every last match. He'll manage his pain... and hopefully some victories, as well.

https://en.as.com/other_sports/what-is-muller-weiss-syndrome-rafa-nadals-chronic-injury-in-his-left-foot-n/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/06/07/rafael-nadals-extreme-remedy-troublesome-foot-divides-medics/

PD

The remainder of the U.S. Open will be more interesting than expected, both Alcaraz and Djokovic are already out...

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/crkm8gr3ey7o

Quote from: LKB on August 31, 2024, 02:47:19 AMThe remainder of the U.S. Open will be more interesting than expected, both Alcaraz and Djokovic are already out...

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/crkm8gr3ey7o

I know!  *Novak ran out of gas--which upon reflection, wasn't really all that surprising to see (after winning the gold medal at the Olympics and no longer being a "spring chicken"--as far as singles tennis goes anyway).  Carlos I was more surprised about.

*Still, hard to watch all of those double faults and unforced errors.

In any event, kudos to their opponents.

PD

@LKB Have you been able to watch any of the US Open?

Last I heard, the oddsmakers are favoring Sinner to win the men's singles.  Haven't heard who is the favorite on the women's side.

Great to see Caroline Wozniacki playing again (and playing well).  She decided to come out of retirement after three years, getting married, and having two kids.

PD

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 31, 2024, 12:41:50 PM@LKB Have you been able to watch any of the US Open?

Last I heard, the oddsmakers are favoring Sinner to win the men's singles.  Haven't heard who is the favorite on the women's side.

Great to see Caroline Wozniacki playing again (and playing well).  She decided to come out of retirement after three years, getting married, and having two kids.

PD

Without Alcaraz (or Rafa or, yes, Roger ), my interest has mostly evaporated. I may watch highlights but as far as sitting down to watch any matches in real time, that won't happen.

Quote from: LKB on August 31, 2024, 03:15:20 PMWithout Alcaraz (or Rafa or, yes, Roger ), my interest has mostly evaporated. I may watch highlights but as far as sitting down to watch any matches in real time, that won't happen.

I miss Rafa and Roger; that said, there are some very talented younger players...women's side, hey what about Iga S.?  Jessie Pugula and others?

I believe that there are sometimes "Bad days at the office".  Perhaps Alcarez was also tired by the time the US Open began (he did receive the silver medal)? 

Edit:  Whoops!  Something happened/went wrong/I messed up--whatever--with the rest of my posting....anyway!  :(

PD

Looking forward to watching Taylor Fritz vs. Casper Ruud a bit later today...also Coco Gauff vs. fellow American Emma Navarro.

Nice to see Serena at the Open yesterday.   :)

PD

Congrats to the British posters here:  you have a man in the men's singles semi-finals!  It's Jack Draper.  :)  He'll be playing the currently No. 1 ATP ranked Jannick Sinner (from Italy).  Apparently, they are good friends, so this will be a bit rough.

Two American males will be facing off in the other semi:  something that hasn't happened in ages.  Taylor Fritz vs. Frances Tiafoe.

And an American woman will be playing in the women's singles final:  Jessica Pegula vs. the Belarusian and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.

Exciting matches ahead!  ;D

PD

If you're interested (and can watch it), Draper will be playing Sinner [men's semi-final] starting in about one hour....so, heads up!  :) 3 p.m. EDT.

PD

Now that the Slams have run their course for this year, I thought a bit of Bahrami might go down well.

Quote from: LKB on September 24, 2024, 09:05:55 PMNow that the Slams have run their course for this year, I thought a bit of Bahrami might go down well.

He's always fun to watch.  Thanks for that.  :)

Wondering here what people think about Wimbledon expanding (to build new courts)?  Particularly @Mandryka as you live in the area.

K

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/ce3zg3y23v7o

'Line judges are to disappear from Wimbledon after 147 years as the All England Club will adopt electronic line calling from 2025.

The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches and replace the judges who were responsible for calling shots 'out' and 'fault' on a serve.'

Seems right and proper, but I can't deny there's a certain pang of sadness attached to the announcement for me. Wimbledon's always been such a visual feast as well as a tennis one, and the line judges were part of that. But things must move on etc. Interesting how Umpires emerge from a kind of feeder system from the line judge hierarchy.

Quote from: Iota on October 09, 2024, 06:30:47 AMhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/ce3zg3y23v7o

'Line judges are to disappear from Wimbledon after 147 years as the All England Club will adopt electronic line calling from 2025.

The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches and replace the judges who were responsible for calling shots 'out' and 'fault' on a serve.'

Seems right and proper, but I can't deny there's a certain pang of sadness attached to the announcement for me. Wimbledon's always been such a visual feast as well as a tennis one, and the line judges were part of that. But things must move on etc. Interesting how Umpires emerge from a kind of feeder system from the line judge hierarchy.

Yes, it's hard to see people losing their jobs to technology--and the technology isn't always perfect (like false "lets" during service?).  Didn't know that about chair umpires, but they have to emerge/learn/get experience from somewhere.

What do you think about the expansion plans at Wimbledon?

Speaking of chair umpires, did you know that this is Carlos Bernardes' last year?

Trying to watch a bit of tennis from Shanghai, but the time difference is pretty brutal.  Have you been watching any of it?

K

Quote from: Kalevala on October 09, 2024, 08:38:06 AMWhat do you think about the expansion plans at Wimbledon?

I don't have any strong opinions on it really, though if I lived close by I'm sure they'd be stronger.

Quote from: Kalevala on October 09, 2024, 08:38:06 AMSpeaking of chair umpires, did you know that this is Carlos Bernardes' last year?

To show you how little I know about tennis, I'm not even sure who he is .. is he the one with the very deep, resonant voice?

Quote from: Kalevala on October 09, 2024, 08:38:06 AMTrying to watch a bit of tennis from Shanghai, but the time difference is pretty brutal.  Have you been watching any of it?

No. A little bit of Wimbledon each year does me fine.

Quote from: Iota on October 09, 2024, 10:48:41 AMI don't have any strong opinions on it really, though if I lived close by I'm sure they'd be stronger.

To show you how little I know about tennis, I'm not even sure who he is .. is he the one with the very deep, resonant voice?

No. A little bit of Wimbledon each year does me fine.

Re voice:  yes!  Interesting to read about his tennis beginnings and career.  A good and short read.  https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2024-09-01/retiring_us_open_umpire_carlos_bernardes_reflects_on_40year_tennis_career.html

K

Quote from: Iota on October 09, 2024, 10:48:41 AMTo show you how little I know about tennis, I'm not even sure who he is .. is he the one with the very deep, resonant voice?

Thinking again, wondering if you might be confusing him with another chair:  Kader Nouni?
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/08/sports/tennis/us-open-kader-nouni-umpire.html

K

Quote from: Kalevala on October 09, 2024, 09:23:01 PMThinking again, wondering if you might be confusing him with another chair:  Kader Nouni?
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/08/sports/tennis/us-open-kader-nouni-umpire.html

K

Yes, that's the guy I was thinking of! Hard to forget a voice like that ..

Hard to read, but also expected soon.  Rafa Nadal will retire after this year's Davis Cup (country/team related for those who don't follow closely).

One of the greatest male tennis players.  I'll miss him.  And truly "the King of Clay".

Hoping that he enjoys his next life after tennis professional and thankful for all that he's given us.

K

Quote from: Kalevala on October 11, 2024, 10:20:51 AMHard to read, but also expected soon.  Rafa Nadal will retire after this year's Davis Cup (country/team related for those who don't follow closely).

One of the greatest male tennis players.  I'll miss him.  And truly "the King of Clay".

Hoping that he enjoys his next life after tennis professional and thankful for all that he's given us.

K

Rafa did a lot for the game, as much as Federer Imho. May he find his measure of post-tennis fulfillment.  8)

Well, latest news:  Novak has withdrawn from the Paris Masters and he was the defending champion.  https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c2k0jnq4wqpo

Hard to see the big three reaching (or having reached) the end of their careers.  :(

Also, recently, Dominic Thiem retiring after the event in Vienna--which unfortunately I either missed or couldn't watch.  :(

And the young guard has already been making their mark(s).  Well done to them.

K

The men's ATP final is on now (in Turin, Italy).  Glad that I still had the t.v. on (watched a bit of the doubles' final).  A friend of mine told me (incorrectly) that the men's final was supposed to start at 2:30--and it started at noon here!  Very close so far.  Sinner just won the first set 6-4.

Sinner is the crowd favorite as he's from Italy.  Interesting to find out yesterday that this is the first time that an American player has been in the final since James Blake; and that was 18 years ago!

K

Trying to watch some of the Australian Open live, but the time difference is a killer (16 hours ahead of me)!

Caught the tail end of what looked to be a thrilling match between Medvedev and a young (and new-to-me player named Learner Tien.  Fantastic performance by the young man!  Went to a tiebreak in the fifth set.

Any others here watching any of the tennis?

K

That gave me a good laugh when I read that yesterday:

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13290192/danielle-collins-american-revels-in-being-pantomime-villain-after-beating-home-hope-destanee-aiava-at-australian-open (https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13290192/danielle-collins-american-revels-in-being-pantomime-villain-after-beating-home-hope-destanee-aiava-at-australian-open)

Quote from: Papy Oli on January 17, 2025, 01:35:33 AMThat gave me a good laugh when I read that yesterday:

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13290192/danielle-collins-american-revels-in-being-pantomime-villain-after-beating-home-hope-destanee-aiava-at-australian-open (https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13290192/danielle-collins-american-revels-in-being-pantomime-villain-after-beating-home-hope-destanee-aiava-at-australian-open)

I can appreciate that people want to support players from their own countries...truly.  I also think that (re sports in general) that it's gotten out of control.  Whatever happened to kindness, self-respect, and appreciating the opponent(s)?  And yes, I've seen some examples of that lately (Thank God, and good for them.  It's hard to lose or also to be a gracious winner.). Good for her for being able to dig in and find a way to look after and support herself mentally.  These days too, there's so much harassment on social media.

K

Papy,

Are you watching any of the tennis?

K

Quote from: Kalevala on January 17, 2025, 09:53:50 AMPapy,

Are you watching any of the tennis?

K

Not a sport I enjoy to watch for too long that much, K  ;)

Quote from: Papy Oli on January 17, 2025, 01:12:03 PMNot a sport I enjoy to watch for too long that much, K  ;)

That's o.k.

Had missed this earlier, but saw it on t.v....too precious!  Made me laugh out loud and smile....cute kid and, looks like, he was having the time of his life.  :)


K

No tennis fans?  I feel like I will die alone--like a Masterpiece Theater animé.

K

Quote from: Kalevala on January 23, 2025, 03:38:50 PMNo tennis fans?  I feel like I will die alone--like a Masterpiece Theater animé.

K

My interest has waned with the retirement of Nadal and Federer. While the " new crop " of stars are making a good job of establishing themselves, they've yet to attract my interest in the same way N and F did.

Perhaps they will, in time.  8)

Quote from: Papy Oli on January 17, 2025, 01:35:33 AMThat gave me a good laugh when I read that yesterday:

https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13290192/danielle-collins-american-revels-in-being-pantomime-villain-after-beating-home-hope-destanee-aiava-at-australian-open (https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13290192/danielle-collins-american-revels-in-being-pantomime-villain-after-beating-home-hope-destanee-aiava-at-australian-open)

I am becoming less keen to watch certain matches in the Australian Open, or to go back to it in person, because there are more and more examples of people who don't understand (even when the umpire TELLS them) when to stop making noise and shut up. They seemingly have no impulse control. In some cases, thousands of people in a stadium have gone quiet and some fool thinks this provides the perfect opportunity for them to shout their banal idea.

In certain matches you get young men making this ridiculous whooping noise to each other, and I want to ask them why the hell they're doing it and whether it's evidence that they don't know how to make words.

By contrast, a couple of times that I went to the tournament one of the absolute highlights were groups of fans who had planned routines for the breaks between games. They had timed them to perfection. They would start straight after the umpire had called the game score, they would end just before the umpire called time. They would entertain everyone else in the crowd and they would not disrupt play in any way.

Quote from: Madiel on January 24, 2025, 01:04:00 AMI am becoming less keen to watch certain matches in the Australian Open, or to go back to it in person, because there are more and more examples of people who don't understand (even when the umpire TELLS them) when to stop making noise and shut up. They seemingly have no impulse control. In some cases, thousands of people in a stadium have gone quiet and some fool thinks this provides the perfect opportunity for them to shout their banal idea.

In certain matches you get young men making this ridiculous whooping noise to each other, and I want to ask them why the hell they're doing it and whether it's evidence that they don't know how to make words.

By contrast, a couple of times that I went to the tournament one of the absolute highlights were groups of fans who had planned routines for the breaks between games. They had timed them to perfection. They would start straight after the umpire had called the game score, they would end just before the umpire called time. They would entertain everyone else in the crowd and they would not disrupt play in any way.

It looks like there have been more issues tonight as some of the crowd booed Djokovic for retiring injured in the semi-final?

As for general crowd behaviour, I seem to remember it was similar in Roland Garros last year. More troublesome than in the past (even if the French crowd can be a bit "over-patriotic" at times). I think they were reviewing matters for this year's, including alcohol consumption in the RG grounds, etc...

Quote from: Papy Oli on January 24, 2025, 02:11:13 AMIt looks like there have been more issues tonight as some of the crowd booed Djokovic for retiring injured in the semi-final?

Yes. And in the post-match on-court interview Zverev did an absolutely superb job putting them in their place.

Quote from: Madiel on January 24, 2025, 02:37:31 AMYes. And in the post-match on-court interview Zverev did an absolutely superb job putting them in their place.

Yes, I really appreciated what he had to say and how he said it.

Am currently watching the repeat of the Shelton vs. Sinner semi.

K

This isn't even specific to tennis, but... is anyone else completely fed up with the ridiculous behaviour of the WADA?

That's supposed to stand for World Anti-Doping Agency. But I've openly said to them they should consider changing their name because they don't seem to actually understand what "doping" is. They're the World Anti-positive-drug-tests-no-matter-the-cause Agency.

They have explicitly accepted that Jannik Sinner's positive drug result was due to accidental cross-contamination. Sinner wasn't cheating, and Sinner derived no sporting advantage from the small traces of the drug.

But this didn't stop them pursuing Sinner for the offence of... failing to force another grown adult to wash his hands.

That's it. That's agreed to be the key step in the positive drug test. Sinner's physiotherapist had traces of something on his hands from a spray he'd been using on his cut finger. In fact the physiotherapist wasn't aware that there was a prohibited substance in the spray, but he was using the spray, and it did contain a prohibited substance.

This is hardly the only instance of WADA accepting that an athlete had no intent to take a drug, but still wanting a punishment. To be fair to them it's actually in the rules to some extent, and the rules themselves are quite deranged in my view with a penalty of 2 years possible even for accidental consumption. But in this case, Sinner somehow managed to clear the huge hurdle of getting the decision-makers to accept that he was in the category where he really couldn't possibly be expected to have done something to prevent the contamination, and WADA still appealed.

And this examination of the AGREED facts is completely lost on most people it seems. People label Sinner as a cheat despite WADA explicitly saying that he was not cheating. Most people cannot imagine any reason why Sinner would be punished for not cheating, so they assume he's been caught cheating.

It's utterly absurd. And it's high time it stopped.

Quote from: Madiel on February 17, 2025, 01:46:56 AMThis isn't even specific to tennis, but... is anyone else completely fed up with the ridiculous behaviour of the WADA?

That's supposed to stand for World Anti-Doping Agency. But I've openly said to them they should consider changing their name because they don't seem to actually understand what "doping" is. They're the World Anti-positive-drug-tests-no-matter-the-cause Agency.

They have explicitly accepted that Jannik Sinner's positive drug result was due to accidental cross-contamination. Sinner wasn't cheating, and Sinner derived no sporting advantage from the small traces of the drug.

But this didn't stop them pursuing Sinner for the offence of... failing to force another grown adult to wash his hands.

That's it. That's agreed to be the key step in the positive drug test. Sinner's physiotherapist had traces of something on his hands from a spray he'd been using on his cut finger. In fact the physiotherapist wasn't aware that there was a prohibited substance in the spray, but he was using the spray, and it did contain a prohibited substance.

This is hardly the only instance of WADA accepting that an athlete had no intent to take a drug, but still wanting a punishment. To be fair to them it's actually in the rules to some extent, and the rules themselves are quite deranged in my view with a penalty of 2 years possible even for accidental consumption. But in this case, Sinner somehow managed to clear the huge hurdle of getting the decision-makers to accept that he was in the category where he really couldn't possibly be expected to have done something to prevent the contamination, and WADA still appealed.

And this examination of the AGREED facts is completely lost on most people it seems. People label Sinner as a cheat despite WADA explicitly saying that he was not cheating. Most people cannot imagine any reason why Sinner would be punished for not cheating, so they assume he's been caught cheating.

It's utterly absurd. And it's high time it stopped.

You might appreciate this (Q&A with Djokovic): 


K

Quote from: Madiel on February 17, 2025, 01:46:56 AMThis isn't even specific to tennis, but... is anyone else completely fed up with the ridiculous behaviour of the WADA?

That's supposed to stand for World Anti-Doping Agency. But I've openly said to them they should consider changing their name because they don't seem to actually understand what "doping" is. They're the World Anti-positive-drug-tests-no-matter-the-cause Agency.

They have explicitly accepted that Jannik Sinner's positive drug result was due to accidental cross-contamination. Sinner wasn't cheating, and Sinner derived no sporting advantage from the small traces of the drug.

But this didn't stop them pursuing Sinner for the offence of... failing to force another grown adult to wash his hands.

That's it. That's agreed to be the key step in the positive drug test. Sinner's physiotherapist had traces of something on his hands from a spray he'd been using on his cut finger. In fact the physiotherapist wasn't aware that there was a prohibited substance in the spray, but he was using the spray, and it did contain a prohibited substance.

This is hardly the only instance of WADA accepting that an athlete had no intent to take a drug, but still wanting a punishment. To be fair to them it's actually in the rules to some extent, and the rules themselves are quite deranged in my view with a penalty of 2 years possible even for accidental consumption. But in this case, Sinner somehow managed to clear the huge hurdle of getting the decision-makers to accept that he was in the category where he really couldn't possibly be expected to have done something to prevent the contamination, and WADA still appealed.

And this examination of the AGREED facts is completely lost on most people it seems. People label Sinner as a cheat despite WADA explicitly saying that he was not cheating. Most people cannot imagine any reason why Sinner would be punished for not cheating, so they assume he's been caught cheating.

It's utterly absurd. And it's high time it stopped.

That does indeed seem unfair on Sinner. I imagine WADA had no option but to issue the punishment  if the rules say it should, but clearly the rules need refining in the light of this case.

Quote from: Iota on February 19, 2025, 08:58:55 AMThat does indeed seem unfair on Sinner. I imagine WADA had no option but to issue the punishment  if the rules say it should, but clearly the rules need refining in the light of this case.

They absolutely have an option. They APPEALED against him not being punished.

He's done a plea deal to make them go away.

Quote from: Madiel on February 19, 2025, 11:24:33 AMThey absolutely have an option. They APPEALED against him not being punished.

He's done a plea deal to make them go away.

Ah right, I obviously missed what they appealed. So you're saying WADA appealed against their own decision makers and had them overruled, or against an external panel who take such decisions?

Quote from: Iota on February 19, 2025, 11:38:42 AMAh right, I obviously missed what they appealed. So you're saying WADA appealed against their own decision makers and had them overruled, or against an external panel who take such decisions?

The original decision was by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. I believe each professional sport initially handles its own cases.

WADA then has the right to go beat up any sport they don't think is tough enough. And apparently saying that Sinner had no fault or negligence in failing to make sure a grown adult had sterilised his hands wasn't okay.

Okay right that's clear enough. But from what you'd said I'd understood that WADA seeking punishment even in such circumstances is in their rules, leaving them without any other option but to do so. Is that not the case?

Quote from: Iota on February 20, 2025, 03:48:41 AMOkay right that's clear enough. But from what you'd said I'd understood that WADA seeking punishment even in such circumstances is in their rules, leaving them without any other option but to do so. Is that not the case?

That is never the case. Police and prosecutors always have a discretion whether or not to prosecute someone. I think one of your difficulties here is that you keep thinking WADA is the court that "issued" the punishment. They're not. They're the police/prosecutors. Sinner made a plea deal with them. You don't make a plea deal with a court.

And it's not "their" rules in that sense. The rules are the exact same rules that the original decision-makers were applying. The original decision-makers decided that Sinner had met the very high bar for being found to not be at fault in any way. WADA decided they disagreed and lodged an appeal. That's about interpretation of the facts. Which brings me back to the factual point - WADA decided that they thought that Sinner was required to force another grown adult to wash their hands.

It seems very arbitrary about how they arrive at their judgements.  And, of course, the top players are (normally) the only ones who can afford the better legal teams.  Iga S. also  recently ran afoul of WADA (because she took some contaminated melatonin).

And, yes, it seems very strange that they accept that someone a) Didn't take "X" on purpose, b) That it wasn't enough to be performance enhancing, but they still go ahead and punish and temporarily ban them from playing tennis [Note:  they also take away any points and prize money from them for the tournament during which they tested positive too].

K

Quote from: Kalevala on February 20, 2025, 04:18:30 AMAnd, of course, the top players are (normally) the only ones who can afford the better legal teams.

Yes, this seems to me to be one of the main rumblings about "unfairness".

Which is similar to claims in the general legal system. And I think the target of those sorts of complaints is often misplaced. That only some people are wealthy enough to actually mount legal arguments is not a sign that wealthy people are a problem, it's often a sign that nobody is in a position to properly check that the prosecution did their own internal checking that the case was sound.

There's actually been 2 high-profile criminal acquittals in the last 2 weeks where I wondered why the case ever went to trial. Both with famous accused who could afford to mount a defence. But both where the facts were pretty solidly on their side and where somebody on the prosecution side should have said "let's stop and think about this", and in one of the cases (Sam Kerr, footballer) the prosecution initially DID say that and it was the police who really wanted to go ahead. The other case was the rapper A$AP Rocky. Neither case gives me the impression of a rich person able to hire tricky lawyers who got them off. Both cases give me the impression of a defendant who was able hire lawyers to show the prosecution case was badly flawed, where some people would have struggled to afford the professional help to show the flaws.

There was one interesting twist(?) in Sinner's case:  the physio (who apparently had a cut on his hand) bought the spray in Italy, which according to the source that I read/heard, is required to label the product with some sort of WADA label/warning, so you would think that they either wouldn't have used it or have been extra careful when working on Sinner?

K

Quote from: Kalevala on February 20, 2025, 04:41:39 AMThere was one interesting twist(?) in Sinner's case:  the physio (who apparently had a cut on his hand) bought the spray in Italy, which according to the source that I read/heard, is required to label the product with some sort of WADA label/warning, so you would think that they either wouldn't have used it or have been extra careful when working on Sinner?

K

I would want to see your source. I don't think it's likely that countries go around putting WADA warnings on things, because the great majority of the population have no need to know that WADA doesn't like the contents. There are cold medications that would fall in that category.

I know one difference between Italy and a lot of countries is that Italians don't require a prescription for products containing this particular drug. It was an over the counter product.

Addendum: according to the original decision, more than half of all anti-doping cases relating to this drug involve its detection in Italy. It's an ordinary consumer product on the Italian market.

Quote from: Madiel on February 20, 2025, 04:59:42 AMI would want to see your source. I don't think it's likely that countries go around putting WADA warnings on things, because the great majority of the population have no need to know that WADA doesn't like the contents. There are cold medications that would fall in that category.

I know one difference between Italy and a lot of countries is that Italians don't require a prescription for products containing this particular drug. It was an over the counter product.

I'm trying to remember where I heard/read that?  I'll try and find it...

I found this:  https://apnews.com/article/us-open-jannik-sinner-doping-trofodermin-clostebol-a0ad903ead6af09dde6ed0a890ffbd68

Wonder whether or not one could get a special exemption in order to use it?  In any event....

K

Quote from: Madiel on February 20, 2025, 05:08:47 AMAddendum: according to the original decision, more than half of all anti-doping cases relating to this drug involve its detection in Italy. It's an ordinary consumer product on the Italian market.

I had known that it was an over-the-counter product, but that's interesting to learn that.  Thanks.

K

Quote from: Kalevala on February 20, 2025, 05:09:59 AMI'm trying to remember where I heard/read that?  I'll try and find it...

I found this:  https://apnews.com/article/us-open-jannik-sinner-doping-trofodermin-clostebol-a0ad903ead6af09dde6ed0a890ffbd68

Wonder whether or not one could get a special exemption in order to use it?  In any event....

K

Thanks. Well, reading the whole chain of events, there is a reason why the physio using the spray (who isn't the person who BOUGHT the spray) never saw the outside packaging. It seems highly likely that someone verbally told the physio there was an issue, but it also seems that for various reasons he either didn't pay attention or didn't understand.

Sinner actually fired the guy after this blunder. But essentially the issue was what more could have Sinner done to guard against the doping risk? And the answer of the original tribunal was that he'd done everything he could, and couldn't be expected to anticipate what transpired.

It's kind of fascinating to read the precedents that get mentioned. One player tested positive to cocaine after kissing a woman who'd been taking it. That was considered unforseeable. I think one of the issues is that testing these days is so extremely sensitive. Once upon a time people didn't know that "transfer DNA" was a thing either.

Quote from: Madiel on February 20, 2025, 05:20:02 AMThanks. Well, reading the whole chain of events, there is a reason why the physio using the spray (who isn't the person who BOUGHT the spray) never saw the outside packaging. It seems highly likely that someone verbally told the physio there was an issue, but it also seems that for various reasons he either didn't pay attention or didn't understand.

Sinner actually fired the guy after this blunder. But essentially the issue was what more could have Sinner done to guard against the doping risk? And the answer of the original tribunal was that he'd done everything he could, and couldn't be expected to anticipate what transpired.

It's kind of fascinating to read the precedents that get mentioned. One player tested positive to cocaine after kissing a woman who'd been taking it. That was considered unforseeable. I think one of the issues is that testing these days is so extremely sensitive. Once upon a time people didn't know that "transfer DNA" was a thing either.

Interesting that the physio hadn't been the one to have purchased the spray.  Perhaps he did get it box and all and/or maybe been the one to request it to begin with?  In any event, it's water under the bridge.  Sinner ended up parting ways with not just the physio but also the trainer.

Richard Gasquet (a French tennis player who has been on the circuit for many years) was the one to whom you were referring (re: kiss).

Currently watching some of the tennis from Qatar (now a ATP 500 event); Novak was beaten in the first round of singles (mind you, he hadn't played since the Australian Open due to a tear in one of his hamstrings) and out in the second round of men's doubles (with Verdasco--his, V's, last event).  Now Medvedev is out of it too (illness?).

K

Your "perhaps" is simply contrary to the evidence.

Have you never used a product in someone else's possession, or never lent something out? Has every aspirin you've ever taken been one that you purchased?

Someone cut their finger. Someone else offered them a spray that would help heal the cut. Because they had bought the spray previously for their own use as needed. It wasn't purchased for the purpose of treating that particular cut, just as you don't buy a new packet of aspirins or band-aids every time a use case arises.

Quote from: Madiel on February 20, 2025, 06:36:36 AMYour "perhaps" is simply contrary to the evidence.

Have you never used a product in someone else's possession, or never lent something out? Has every aspirin you've ever taken been one that you purchased?

Someone cut their finger. Someone else offered them a spray that would help heal the cut. Because they had bought the spray previously for their own use as needed. It wasn't purchased for the purpose of treating that particular cut, just as you don't buy a new packet of aspirins or band-aids every time a use case arises.

A few minutes ago, before reading this, I looked at the article again.  According to the AP article, the trainer is/was(?) also a certified pharmacist.

K

Quote from: Kalevala on February 20, 2025, 06:46:04 AMA few minutes ago, before reading this, I looked at the article again.  According to the AP article, the trainer is/was(?) also a certified pharmacist.

K

Yes. The trainer who bought/owned the spray was  thoroughly knowledgeable in pharmacology.  Knowing what Sinner could and couldn't take was part of his job.

Quote from: Madiel on February 20, 2025, 04:02:40 AMThat is never the case. Police and prosecutors always have a discretion whether or not to prosecute someone. I think one of your difficulties here is that you keep thinking WADA is the court that "issued" the punishment. They're not. They're the police/prosecutors. Sinner made a plea deal with them. You don't make a plea deal with a court.

And it's not "their" rules in that sense. The rules are the exact same rules that the original decision-makers were applying. The original decision-makers decided that Sinner had met the very high bar for being found to not be at fault in any way. WADA decided they disagreed and lodged an appeal. That's about interpretation of the facts. Which brings me back to the factual point - WADA decided that they thought that Sinner was required to force another grown adult to wash their hands.

Understood, thank you for the explanation.

My 'difficulty' had always been that I assumed from your post WADA's rules were inviolable, and didn't know specifically what its role was in the administering of punishment. But with your explanation I do now know and it makes perfect sense. And I'm still in the same position of thinking it very unfair on Sinner, not least because, if the details are not known widely enough, this kind of thing tends to stick even when someone is innocent. Hopefully they will become widely known and allow his reputation to fully recover.

Daria Kasatkina has become Australian. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/daria-kasatkina-charleston-open-australia/105123216

Quote from: Madiel on March 31, 2025, 09:13:02 PMDaria Kasatkina has become Australian. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/daria-kasatkina-charleston-open-australia/105123216

I read that yesterday!  Nice for you all to welcome her into your country.   :)

K

A story that melted my heart:  https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c39vg44l2gvo

A dog that was left hit by the side of the road and and tennis player who stepped it up and responded. Love to you, Collins, you're a good person.  Thank you for your kindness and generosity--vet bills aren't cheap.   This dog is lucky and I hope that you have a long and happy relationship together.

K

Hyperlink is broken, you need to edit it to get rid of "web" at the front.

Quote from: Madiel on April 01, 2025, 07:03:22 PMHyperlink is broken, you need to edit it to get rid of "web" at the front.

Thanks.  I fixed it.  :)

K

The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters started today.  Always appreciate the shots of the hills, sea and boats...beautiful!  As a lot of you know, there are a number of tennis players who live there including Tsitsipas.  Heard one of the commentators today who said that they had seen Stef driving around town in his new Aston Marton.  Did a quick bit of googling and wow!  Quite the car!  And no windshield!  :o


Oh, and he won the men's singles there last year too.

K

Interesting match starting now:  Novak vs. Tabilo.  Novak is well familiar with the courts as he lives in Monte Carlo.  He's been playing more lately, so I think that he will win it; however, Tabilo, who has been playing well lately and is also a leftie could be a problem.  Anyway, it's live now--if anyone here is interested.

K

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

Quote from: Kalevala on May 27, 2025, 03:06:08 PMCaught 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

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

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

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  :laugh:

Quote from: Papy Oli on July 03, 2025, 06:14:47 AMSaw 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  :laugh:

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

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

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! 

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/

Quote from: Mandryka on July 05, 2025, 01:29:35 PMThe 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

Quote from: Kalevala on July 05, 2025, 06:25:08 PMI 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.

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.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 06, 2025, 01:01:02 AMI 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.

Quote from: Iota on July 06, 2025, 02:47:40 AMI 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.

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.

Quote from: Mandryka on July 06, 2025, 12:46:28 AMThe 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

Quote from: Madiel on July 06, 2025, 05:43:06 AMOh 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

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

Quote from: Kalevala on July 06, 2025, 07:04:04 AMSorry 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.

Quote from: Mandryka on July 07, 2025, 02:50:30 AMThe 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

Quote from: Mandryka on July 07, 2025, 02:50:30 AMThe 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.

Quote from: Irons on July 08, 2025, 07:05:11 AMDouble whammy with RHS Hampton Court Garden Fest last week.

I'm sure that that would make things even tougher.  Maybe some of the people ate in town and/or shopped/paid for hotels, etc.?

I didn't catch much of the women's matches today unfortunately, but was a bit surprised to see Sabalenka beaten today by Anisimova (will have to catch some of the highlights) and also Iga on through.

Fritz vs. Alcaraz tomorrow and Sinner vs. Djokovic tomorrow.  Popcorn matches.

K

Quote from: Kalevala on July 10, 2025, 02:12:15 PMI'm sure that that would make things even tougher.  Maybe some of the people ate in town and/or shopped/paid for hotels, etc.?

I didn't catch much of the women's matches today unfortunately, but was a bit surprised to see Sabalenka beaten today by Anisimova (will have to catch some of the highlights) and also Iga on through.

Fritz vs. Alcaraz tomorrow and Sinner vs. Djokovic tomorrow.  Popcorn matches.

K

We are on our third heatwave this summer. Wimbledon must be unbearable for players.

Quote from: Irons on July 11, 2025, 02:02:57 AMWe are on our third heatwave this summer. Wimbledon must be unbearable for players.

According to the weather info on my computer, it's currently 86 (30) there.  Ouch!  You can see lots of spectators fanning themselves.   :(

It's heating up here again too.

K

Sorry to see Novak struggling out there.  I know that in the last round that he slipped (sort of doing the splits) and I think might have hurt one of his hips (not positive of the diagnosis).  He was struggling to stop and reverse quickly when doing things like running to hit returns by Sinner.  And no disrespect meant towards Sinner; he played brilliantly.

In any event, it will be Sinner vs. Alcaraz in the final on Sunday.  They had a long and intense battle at Roland Garros this year (5 hours and 29 minutes).

K

Quote from: Irons on July 11, 2025, 02:02:57 AMWe are on our third heatwave this summer. Wimbledon must be unbearable for players.

They all play the Australian Open. Having experienced as a spectator the kind of temperature that is not sufficient to stop play (if it's dry heat rather than humid), I honestly doubt that Wimbledon, even hot Wimbledon, is going to push them past their limits.

(Honestly, there was a day one year where I thought "this is it, I've killed my mother by bringing her to the tennis")

Quote from: Madiel on July 12, 2025, 05:01:51 AMThey all play the Australian Open. Having experienced as a spectator the kind of temperature that is not sufficient to stop play (if it's dry heat rather than humid), I honestly doubt that Wimbledon, even hot Wimbledon, is going to push them past their limits.

(Honestly, there was a day one year where I thought "this is it, I've killed my mother by bringing her to the tennis")

I can handle dry heat much better than warm and humid weather.  I have seen some spectators needing assistance this year (happened at least three times--that I've heard of).  From what I recall, the PTB changed the rules a few years ago to allow heat breaks for the players...would be interested in seeing how they figure that all out.  Trust that your mother didn't need a medic?   Lots of people in the stands using various kinds of fans to try and keep cool.

That's neat that you were able to go to the AO.  Do you remember who all was playing in the matches that you watched?

K

p.s.  Swiatek off to a fast start; now, 3-0.

I've been to the Australian Open at least 5 times. The list of people seen is fairly decent.

Quote from: Madiel on July 12, 2025, 08:00:31 AMI've been to the Australian Open at least 5 times. The list of people seen is fairly decent.

Excellent!  :) Did you ever see Roger and/or Rafa play?  Or Serena or Venus?  Any particularly memorable matches?

Sorry to see Amanda A. routed; however, you could see that she was out of gas and probably nervous about being in a final at a slam for the first time.  Her speech afterwards was very touching.

Well done to Iga and her team!  :)

K

Quote from: Kalevala on July 12, 2025, 10:44:04 AMExcellent!  :) Did you ever see Roger and/or Rafa play?  Or Serena or Venus?  Any particularly memorable matches?

Sorry to see Amanda A. routed; however, you could see that she was out of gas and probably nervous about being in a final at a slam for the first time.  Her speech afterwards was very touching.

Well done to Iga and her team!  :)

K

Yes, she spoke with great dignity whilst being so understandably upset.

Quote from: vandermolen on July 14, 2025, 08:07:55 AMYes, she spoke with great dignity whilst being so understandably upset.

Glad to hear that. I had to turn it off, I couldn't get any pleasure from seeing somebody suffering and misfiring so badly. I do hope she can come back wiser and stronger from the experience, she's clearly very talented

Quote from: Kalevala on July 12, 2025, 10:44:04 AMExcellent!  :) Did you ever see Roger and/or Rafa play?  Or Serena or Venus?  Any particularly memorable matches?

I missed seeing this question while the forum collapsed.

Federer and Djokovic and Murray, but not Nadal. Marat Safin a long time ago, firing aces in my direction which was unnerving.

I saw the Williams sisters playing doubles together in 1999, which was awesome. Li Na. Radwanska. I'm forgetting tonnes.

Lots of great matches I'm sure, but the one I remember from the last visit was Angelique Kerber vs Hsieh Su-Wei. Maybe not the superstar combination you'd expect, but magnificent tennis.

Then there's the 5-set men's match involving Tipsarevic which might have been one of my favourite ever if not for the 2 young heterosexual men behind me who would not shut up for 3 hours. And yes, their conversation often focused on things that made their heterosexuality clear. They were almost never talking about the tennis, which is what I pointed out when I finally rounded on them.

Quote from: Madiel on July 14, 2025, 06:48:42 PMI missed seeing this question while the forum collapsed.

Federer and Djokovic and Murray, but not Nadal. Marat Safin a long time ago, firing aces in my direction which was unnerving.

I saw the Williams sisters playing doubles together in 1999, which was awesome. Li Na. Radwanska. I'm forgetting tonnes.

Lots of great matches I'm sure, but the one I remember from the last visit was Angelique Kerber vs Hsieh Su-Wei. Maybe not the superstar combination you'd expect, but magnificent tennis.

Then there's the 5-set men's match involving Tipsarevic which might have been one of my favourite ever if not for the 2 young heterosexual men behind me who would not shut up for 3 hours. And yes, their conversation often focused on things that made their heterosexuality clear. They were almost never talking about the tennis, which is what I pointed out when I finally rounded on them.

Oh, cool!  So happy for you!  Did you ever see any of the finals?  And so sorry to hear about the guys yakking away behind you and disturbing your enjoyment of the match.  :(

K

I've never been to a final, no. Rather expensive. Your best value is around the 3rd or 4th round.

Anyone else here watching the Laver Cup?  I've caught some of the matches--not all.  Team World is currently ahead, but today is the last day of it and all matches count for three points, so you never know!

Great to see Roger there!  And cool moment when he walked out with Steph Curry.  I imagine that it's on YT if you want to see it.  Highlights too of some of the matches.

Note:  it's being held in San Francisco, so you can figure out things accordingly.

Off to get some water boiling for what will soon be the last of this summer's corn.

K

Hard to catch much of the Asian Tour live due to the time differences.  I'd love to see Sinner vs. de Mineur (semi-final in Beijing:  not before 2 a.m. my time...maybe I can set record?) then at 5 a.m., Alcaraz vs. Fritz (final in Tokyo).  @Madiel You're lucky that the time difference isn't nearly so bad in  your area [If I'm recalling correctly, you live in or near Canberra?].  Hope that you are able to watch some of the matches. :-)

Last I heard, Novak is going to play in Shanghai (a 1000 Masters event).  Well, the draw's out!  :)

Haven't looked into the women's events yet.

K

Looking forward to watching the men's finals in Athens tomorrow:  Djokovic vs. Musetti.  *I've, somehow or another, converted a friend into being a tennis-lover [He does also enjoy watching women's tennis].  Short time frame as he needs to do some other things.

K

Sad to hear about two people (spectators) having cardiac issues at the ATP finals in Turin.  All I know is that one was 70 and the other 78.  They were attended to by medics and rushed off to a hospital, but sadly didn't live.  This was on Tuesday I believe and at different matches.

K