Get your strings tightened and your balls polished - gearing up for Aussie Open

[JuanPotatoTwo]

Happy New Year tennis folks (and others of course, if there are any) :)

Getting very very excited to see Pot back in action, feel like a hyperactive child rather than a middle aged woman. He didn't make it to Brisbane so wasn't counting on Sydney but he's there. Look:

www.facebook.com/245291448857687/photos/a.519072434812919.1073741828.245291448857687/784944874892339/?type=1&theater

Bet you can't wait

J'attends avec impatience, dear Pesky.

Don't strain your brain by trying to multi task..................

Would like to watch Serena and Shrieks but I am chauffeuring DC around in the morning. I don't really mind who wins.
As for the men, I want Murray to win but I think Djokovic will.

I'm just watching a bit of this- can't believe how long it took them to get around to closing the roof.

They now have an army of people mopping up the rain

Of course, i know the result, but it's better than ironing.

Serena wasn't well, apparently.

Yes she puked during the roof closing.

I really enjoyed that match, despite the shrieking and yelling. There were some amazing shots. Maria speaks very well - she was very gracious. Serena went on far too long in her speech.

I think it's pretty awe inspiring that these two first played each other in a GS final 11 years ago and here they are still going strong. Serena has seen players and rivalries come and go, yet is as brilliant as ever. I do wish Maria would get that win over her though.

Afternoon !

Agree with Hester, some great tennis played. I much prefer Maria.

I thought you could tell Serena is on the wane a bit, she doesn't look anywhere near as strong as she used to. Also agree that its great they are still playing so well.

The young British girl did very well too, didn't she ? Hopefully one to watch for the future.

I have a feeling Murray might win tomorrow. Don't know why. Novak didn't seem his best in the semi. Should make for a much more entertaining Sunday morning than usual !

Maybe her strength waning will mean that she will be forced to rely on her awesome skill rather than her strength. Serena detractors have always banged on about how she blasts away the opposition and so on, which is doing her a disservice, and Justine used to beat her sometimes when she was half the size. If she keeps herself in shape but relies less on her power, then she may be around a while yet, which would be good because the rest of them really need to step up to the mark.

Wasn't referring to you MrsV :o

I know that !

I LOVED Justine. So teeny but so brilliant.

So nice that she finally seems happy and content. Well, last thing I saw she did anyway. Obviously I know here really well and stuff....

Yy.

You know her ?

(now looking at "Justine's one handed backhand" on YouTube. what else would you be doing on a rainy, cold Saturday afternoon in January?)

Oh yes We're best chums.

Its not rainy, its snowy here. Sort of.

Lol @ airy.

Enjoyed the women's final today, great tennis from both - woukd have liked to have seen three sets as Maria looked like she was figuring it out. Serena though - wow, what an athlete.

"Vomiting helped me win" says Williams

Way to go Serena.

I was a huge Justine fan and was sorry to see her leave the tour.

I thought at one point Maria was going to level the match, and if she had she might well have won it with Serena unwell. I really didn't want Serena to win. I know she's an awesome player, but I can't warm to her at all. Maria must be an OK type of girl - the lovely Grigor likes her, after all

"Vomiting helped me win" - yes, I always feel better after a good puke :)

Steffi was my fave. Quite liked Monica too.

Steffi was great. Cool as a cucumber. No silly outfits, just proper playing.
I always wanted to be Gabriella Sabatini- i thought she was stunning.

Never ever saw the Agassi romance coming though.

I was more an Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario though. Only shorter.

I think Grigor is scared of Shrieky.

Monica started the whole 'grunting' thing though. She was very noisy- but it a huge shame that her career was cut short.

I loved Justine, and Kim Clijsters- because they were very different.

I thought Gabby was good to watch but I never got the "stunning" thing. Practically every body I knew used to comment on how good looking she was - just couldn't see it myself.

I'd forgotten that Monica was the original grunter. I liked Arantxa Sanchez too.

If we are going into the realms of womens' tennis Martina was the one for me.

Amazing final - some great tennis played there.

I recorded it & fast forwarded through the roof close so missed the Serena puke!

Hearing some of the commentary (fuck off AC) & hearing that Simone Halep was No 3 in the world made me realise how little womens' tennis I now watch - I don't know where she is from & have never seen her play.

Which is quite sad - I am missing 50% of all tennis. I remember when the mens' game was boring & I just used to tune in to see Martina, Steffi. Arancha etc etc.

I didn't like Martina much at the time she was playing, but I appreciate her now.

I loved watching Steffi, and Arantxa, and also Jana Novotna. The year she finally won Wimbledon I was so happy for her I cried

Drama do you remember the year Jana didn't win?? Still brings alump to my throat.

Am off to bed. Have to be up early tomorrow to be in place for the final.

GO ANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yes, and the poor girl sobbed on the Duchess of Kent's shoulder. IIRC, she was up in the third set, got terribly nervous and let Steffi come back & win. It was awful. That's why I was so happy to see her finally win a few years later.

I'm off to bed too.

Good luck Andy!!!!

Excited