Tennis Thread- WIMBLEDON draws to a close, then it's onwards to the hard courts

[Raahh]

Might be over, this match, before we need the thread

Yay it’s Rafa v Stefanos in the final and it’s on at a reasonable time tonight. I tried to stay up to watch Rafa last night but only made it til 12.30 and now I feel a bit groggy.

I hope it’s a good final and the last few days haven’t taken too much of a physical and emotional toll on Tsitsipas. He must be fairly mentally tough though as he faced a few match points against him in his last two matches and still came through.

I might even forgive him if he wins against Rafa (just about!) seeing as he’s so dashing and it’s his birthday today

Morning everyone! I didn't manage to keep track of all the Tsitsipas match - but was a awake to track half the scores of the Rafa match. (My sleeping is all over the place). I'm vey glad they are both through.

Private I hate the foot fault rule too- used to happen to Edberg quite a bit, and it does seem a bit petty.

I stayed up ages but there was rain again so I didn't get to see any of it. Well done Rafa. Should be a good final.

I suppose there has to be some kind of foot fault rule or people could just run half way down the court to serve but why don't they let you do it three times or something, before you're deducted a serve? I talked not exactly gaining an advantage to have your foot fractionally touching the line when you hit the ball, is it?!

I'm looking forward to the final. So pleased it's on at a normal time. The weather forecast looks good over there, according to Google...

No, it's not like gaining a couple of centimetres in the long jump, is it?

I have a ct scan (to check for kidney stones ) at 6.40pm . Pretty random time, but it saves wasting a day in the week. . I also have a dentist appointment first thing in the morning.

It's all appointments around here at the moment!

I have threatened to take my dc to a local park this afternoon.The dog is on crate rest, and the dc are not keen on leaving their pits. It looks like it is going to rain, and I'm wavering a bit- but I don't think ds has seen fresh air for days .

Good luck with the scan Raahh. Hope you get the all-clear.

We're a bit the same today. It's damp and miserable here (waaaahhhh! I wish I was still on holiday) and we haven't done anything exciting for the last couple of days. Need to get out and about but we're all lacking motivation. Someone (probably me) needs to do some chivvying before we all go stir crazy...

Private I am doing what I always do, which is feel guilty, that the holidays are half over, we've done nothing (because we can't go on holiday, and days out are few and far between), so I force them to enjoy them themselves. And the older two just endure it , whilst wishing they were at home playing on their laptops. The littlest always appreciates it though- but then she's happy with a trip to Ikea .

It's dd1's birthday on Thursday, and we don't have any plans for that- she isn't fussed - she never is- she's happy with a trip to granny's for cake. But I always feel like we should be doing something .

Hope the scan gives you good news, Raahh.

I think it is good for kids to be a bit bored & have to entertain themselves a bit & not have some amusement or other constantly laid on for them. Don't feel guilty, as long as they get some fresh air everyday.

Back to tennis . What websites do you all use for news/scores etc? Anyone found any really good ones?

magi my guilt doesn't last very long- they entertain themselves mostly.
I usually use the ATP website for most of the scores- or the individual tournament websites (some are better than others). For gossip, and fans sniping at each other, facebook is always fun .

As a stat geek, I lke to follow the 'live.tennis.eu' site which shows rankings and things in real time, and also an ultimate tennis statistics site- which gives points for everything, to work out who really is the 'goat'. But like I said, I'ma bit of a stat geek .

I mostly just use Twitter magi. It's especially good during tournaments as there are loads of clips of matches, news etc.

Hope you're back from hospital Raahh and that all was ok.

Private the x-ray department was empty, and I was in and out pretty quickly. They didn't tell me anything. I expect they will send me a letter if there's a problem. I've not had any pain, so I think I'm o.k.

Yes I guess they have to wait for someone to do the report... or whatever they do. Well I hope it's good news anyway Raahh.

We went to the cinema intending to see Teen Titans but the world and his wife had had the same idea and it was sold out. So we bought some Harry Potter Lego minifigures and had an ice cream instead Not very exciting! We are still supposed to be going to this zipwire place but the weather keeps putting us off.

Anyway. Almost tennis time. I feel Rafa will be a bridge too far for Tsitsipas, brilliant though he has been this week (although that's what I said before he played Anderson too...) Is anyone picking Stefanos to win?

Private ice cream sounds fun. We didn't bother with the park- thunder storms saw to that- we went out for lunch instead.

Rafa on hard courts in not always a foregone conclusion, he's done well this week, but some matches seem to have been hard work.

It might be a match too far for Stefanos- and nerves/the occasion might get the better of him- but he's come a long way since Barcelona!

I've managed to log on to watch the march on my laptop- but I'mnot sure how long it will last.

Vamos Rafa*

But, I do like Tsitsipas- happy birthday!

So far, it's going Rafa's way.

Tsitsipas looks out of energy to me. But also Rafa is playing really well - some great forehands.

Rafa is playing really well.

Tsitsipas looking a bit lost out there.

Some people in the crowd need a good talking to.

Nice one Rafa.

Jane apparently Simona Halep told the crowd in Montreal off after the women's final and said they should have more respect for the players!

Good for her!

Oh what's happened to Rafa?

Peter Fleming makes me laugh so much.

He is very funny jane - I’m never quite sure what he’s going to say next.

Stefanos seems to be having his usual second set renaissance.

This has now turned into a bit of a match.

I'm loving this camera man

The music