TENNIS THREAD- and it's the US OPEN already! where is 2017 going??

[Raahh]

New thread ,as we are very close to the end of the other.

I'm in denial that it is nearly September.

I am looking forward to Flushing Meadows. I feels like ages ages since I was able to 'watch' any tennis.

Krajinovic must think all his Christmas's have come at once. Now he's beaten Isner after being gifted a walkover by Rafa.

I'm not keen on Isner, have never warmed to him. Don't know why. Jack Sock could qualify for London now -it's all getting very complicated , but only if he wins tomorrow,( and beats Benneteau today).

Krajinovic is a set up. I don't think anyone would have predicted this final!

Jane it has been a very strange week .

I hope he wins, though I have a soft spot for the fabulously named Mr Sock. Although , I'm a bit torn, as Sock could qualify for London id he wins- but I'm not sure he deserves it over Carreno Busta.

I have been reading positive things about Rafa's injury, insofar as it's not got worse. But indoor hardcourts are his very worst surface- which is why he's never done that well at Paris, or the WTF. It's the worst surface for his knee. I don't want him to play if he will make his injury worse.

It's the first Next Gen tournament next week- Zverev is way ahead in that, and has of course qualified for London. Would definitely show he has arrived, if he managed to do well at both.

That's good news about Rafa. It's terrible to think of all the damage tennis players do to themselves!

It is scary what they put themselves through. Some players are a lot luckier than others. But the game is so physical now.

Sock seems to have turned things around. Just seeing bits and pieces because DS1 is in from work and put the footie on. I need to get up and make him some food before he heads back to college. I feel really weak today, don't know what's wrong with me. I might take a swig of iron and see if it helps!

Well done Jack Sock. His girlfriend looks very cool. Is she someone famous, looks familiar?

Jane hope you're feeling ok.

I can't watch, so don't know who his girlfriend is. DIdn't he date Sloane Stephens at one point? But I could be wrong.

Feeling a bit better now thanks Raahh. I think it's a week of not sleeping well catching up with me. The clocks going back combined with a full moon and mid-term break have sent me loopy

Just read about the draw ceremony at the Next Gen finals. They are in a lot of bother for being really sexist. They are sponsored by Red Bull- which might explain it. .

I've also realised that Zverev has decided to ditch the Next Gen finals, in favour of concentrating on competing with the big boys next week. That's probably a wise move. He's done well, in the masters 1000s/500s this year, but his record in the slams is still a bit iffy so he so probably doesn't need the distraction this week.

That draw ceremony was ridiculous. The players looked so embarrassed and I hate that tennis got involved in something so tacky.
Chris Kermode, CX of the ATP has apologised profusely.

Rafa and his sainted knees will definitely be in London next week, well rested from his well timed withdrawal in Paris one match after securing the year end No 1.... 🙄

Looking forward to the Fed Andy exho tonight. On Eurosport in the UK at 7.30 pm.

Well, it's the draw for London today. I'm not expecting half naked women to feature there. Well, I hope not anyway.

Well, Boris Becker was delayed (stuck in traffic) seems the draw is being made on the Chris Evans breakfast show- so a lot more low key than MIlan . Which is not a bad thing.

It has been announced this morning that the Kim gave birth to their second daughter. News reports seem to vary between her having been born a few days ago, and a couple of weeks , but either way, congratulations to them. At least Murray has a couple of months before he is planning to play again, to spend with his family.

Congratulations to the Murrays.

I see they are going to have a clock in London to make sure the 25 seconds between points rule is adhered to. Good luck with that Rafa

The Next Gen draw sounded like a total embarrassment.

I just hope Rafa is genuinely fit enough to play, really. His doctor yesterday didn't seem to think it was worth the risk. It will be very dull if he doesn't play. I don't want Federer to get an easy ride

And am I the only one who thinks the fact Rafa Is leading Team Sampras is ironic? Sampras was awful on clay.

The names of the teams are a bit of an odd combination- Becker and Edberg I could understand, Sampras and Agassi. But why Sampras and Becker?

I'm waiting for a delivery. I'm a bit bored

I've just had a delivery and now the dog won't stop barking. He doesn't seem to realise they have gone away

I can't stand Sampras, he must be the most boring player who ever lived!

I'm bracing myself for my dog being the same, jane. I've only just shut him up because he spotted Goady Squirrel.

And I agree about Sampras, I never liked watching him.

I am very excited about the tour finals. I do hope Rafa is fit enough- but I knew he wouldn't pull out once the draw was made.

Of course, if the injury does get worse, and he withdraws later , there can be no complaints. Federer withdrew an hour before the final the other year . That was an anti climax(and handed the title to Djok, sadly).

I too hope that Rafa’s knees manage to hold out so that he can do himself justice in London.
I always find this tournament a bit of an anti climax - as it comes late in the year a lot of the players are either knackered or injured or both.
I actually went one year and I think Davydenko won the whole thing. I saw him win against Roger Federer and seemed to be surrounded by avid Davydenko fans - it was very odd!
The o2 has very steep seats and I got vertigo - on the whole it wasn’t a great experience but I like watching it on tv.
It will be good to see some of the younger players like Thiem and Zverev but still hoping that Rafa does well.

Fizzy I would love to see Zverev do well, or Thiem too. I think their time will come- Zverev has been very solid this year, except in slams. But I really want Rafa to get it this year. So long as Roger doesn't . I'm increasingly as to how Roger went from hardly playing at the beginning of 2016, to where he is now.
Of course, picking and choosing what tournaments you play (and skipping an entire season ,so you don't risk losing) will help . cynical .

(I don't even mean that Roger would have lost to Rafa in the clay season- Goffin, Thiem, Zverev could all have beaten him I think).

I am finally getting to actually 'watch' some tennis! Feels like ages.

Although it's Federer v Sock. Come on Jack!

Annoyingly, it's Andrew Castle commentating