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.

Oh no not Andrew Castle!
I actually don’t mind Roger Federer - I think he’s a great ambassador for the sport (as is Rafa) and I just think he’s been quite clever in ‘managing’ his career to avoid too many injuries.
I’m really happy that Rafa and Roger have both done well in terms of grand slams this year but know it can’t continue forever.
I think Thiem is my current favourite of the new generation of players - looking forward to hopefully seeing some good tennis this week.

I don't mind Federer- I love the rivalry he's had with Rafa over the years, and there is genuine affection between them, I think. I just really want Rafa to to do well here this year- it's the 'big' title he doesn't have.

Aww, he comes for his trophy. After last year, I don't think anyone would have predicted Roger and Rafa would have been back, and dominating this like they have.

I can hear Sue Barker muttering the background.

I'm annoyed that we only seem to be seeing some of the matches on BBC2.

From the look of things, and from what Sue Barker has just said, I probably won't get to see Rafa's match tomorrow.

That’s a shame if they’re not showing the night matches on bbc Raahh as they’re likely to be the most entertaining ones - are they on the red button?
Nice to see Rafa in his suit and getting his trophy - still can’t quite believe he’s number one - yes it would be nice to see him win this title - hope he can stay injury free for a good while.
Not convinced about his side parting though - my DS asked if he’d had a hair transplant 😀

Fizzy Bless Rafa and his receding hair. I don't think he quite knows what to do with it The combover isn't really a good look. That's why he looks better with a headband

I'm slightly worried about how he will do in London- I don't mean his knee. Indoor fast hardcourts are his nemesis.

He does scrub up well though- most of them do.

I am glad to see Thiem/ Goffin/ Zverev there, rather than the likes of Nishikori, who bores me. Although, he brings with him lots of fans- so I bet the tour organisers wish he was there.

I want Cilic to do well- exorcise some demons from Wimbledon.

Andrew Castle was quite funny, complaining the music was too loud

Yes he does scrub up quite well but probably wishes he could wear his headband all of the time!
I too find nishikori boring - I don’t know why I’m sure he’s a very nice chap really but just dull!
Was thinking about the Wimbledon final the other day - it would be nice to see Cilic do well.
Can’t believe that Andrew castle was being funny - was it intentional

Fizzy I doubt Castle was being intentionally funny- Henman made out he sounded like and old gimmer .

I really felt for Marin in the Wimbledon finals- blisters seems so trivial don't they?, but they are big deal when you are a giant of a man having to run around a tennis court.

Kei is probably really nice- but he is aplayer I've never really warmed to. I just don't know why. I mean, there are other players I don't like- but I can give lists of reasons why . There's absolutely nothing offensive about him at all , I just don't get excited about watching him play. But I know he is massive at home in Japan.

Tim henman was making someone sound like an old gimmer

Yes, 'old before his time' Tim was laughing at someone else for sounding old [grin

Shame Cilic lost- not that I could watch. But it's good that Zverev is doing well. It's been a long time since someone 'young' won a significant tournament. This could be his chance- though he will have lots more, I'm sure.

Greg Rusedski said he thinks Rafa will play one match and then withdraw

Jane Rusedski is determined to be proved right somehow- last week, he didn't think Rafa would go to London at all .

I'm still annoyed that I won't get to see Rafa's match anyway.

I wonder if Nicole is watching Grigor? we saw Sock's girlfriend yesterday.

She could sing a bit. But not too loud. Andrew doesn't like it.

Ooh yeah I forgot about Nicole being Grigor's "girlfriend"

I heard Son's gf get a mention earlier.

Grigor and Nicole are an unusual pairing, I think.

*Dom's gf

The Thiem/Dimitrov match was good. Dom looked the more nervous.

I didn’t know that Nicole was dimitrov’s girlfriend.

I did think Rafa was hedging his bets a bit last week about whether or not he was fit for this tournament - I hope that I’m wrong if only to prove Greg Rusedski wrong.

We have got sky sports (one of the advantages of living in a male dominated household!) so I’ll watch Rafa’s match and try to see how his knees hold up (fingers crossed)

Rafa’s lost the first set on a tiebreak . He’s not moving very well and is making lots of unforced errors.

I can't watch- but am checking the scores online. It was always going to be tough. I know once the draw was done, he wouldn't have pulled out.

Goffin has been a tough opponent for him this year anyway, as he's a good clay player- and this is not a surface that will be kind to a dodgy knee.

Rafa’s won the second set! Goffin had 3 match points but he was very nervous on each one.

Still not sure how it’s going to finish - Rafa seems a bit more fired up now but is obviously not at his best and the long match won’t be helping him.

I don’t think Goffin believes that he can defeat Rafa though.

I was hoping for an early night!

Rafa did well to win the second set but you can tell he's not moving in his usual fashion. I wonder what's up with Goffin's knee.

Ah well. Just hope Rafa didn't push himself too much.

I fell asleep so I have just seen the score. I was worried the score line would be far worse to be honest.it did look like Coffin might run away with it a bit at one stage. I hope he hasn't made the knee worse. It isn't really that long until January...

Just seen that Rafa’s pulled out of tournament. It’s a shame but I’m not surprised - just hope he hasn’t done too much damage - he was wincing at some points in the match and didn’t look happy.