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

It's a travesty really how well a baseliner can do on grass. You say travesty, I say triumph. Too bad if some players can't handle that forehand.

It means that the same type of player can win on all surfaces.
It means that one type of shot wins the majority of rallies.
I like tennis because of its variety, subtlety and tactics. Over the last twenty or thirty years this has been severely eroded.

By baseliner, do you mean Rafa ferrier? I have to say, I was at the semi final vs Novak, and Rafa was finishing points at the net pretty regularly (much more so than Djokovic, who didn't come to the net much at all). Rafa also came in a lot against del Potro in the quarters. I don't know what the stats were, but I would say it was a pretty successful tactic for him in both matches, (obviously less so against Novak because of his passing shots). Touch, variety, finesse, net play: I would describe that as pretty good grass court tennis, tbh.

Re Isner v Anderson, god knows why Isner didn't approach the net more as his height/wingspan must make him almost impossible to lob/pass, but he didn't seem to have much success there from what I saw.

Meanwhile over on twitter Patrick McEnroe is asking who will win the men's US Open. So many people are picking Delpo: instant kiss of death.

private- that does sound like the kiss of death.
If his form continues, I'd not bet against Djok- ( not too bothered about jinxing him).

Blue Monday. It's also damp Monday, which makes a change. Was always going to rain this week- as soon as they decided at dd2's school it would be Sports Week. Not just one day- the whole week. Dd2 is unimpressed.

Morning all,
I wouldn't either, expect Djokovic could have a bit of a run now, he'll be so confident.
Would love Delpo in the US though if Rafa doesn't win.
Blue skies, scorching hot here and we are off to the beach :)

Well it's not the floss but it's pretty good
mobile.twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1018657209981468672

Love the dancing. Angelique looks gorgeous.

Don't they both look happy?

Trivia question coming up?

Do most male tennis players wax their chests? When you see them change shirts (steady...) only Roger & Novak seem to have any chest hair. All the rest seem to be hairless. Why do this??

Rafa has a smattering of chest hair, not that I was staring or anything. Young men these days are into manscaping to show off their muscles.

magi interesting question that I think deserves some in-depth research

Surely Delpo has chest hair?!?

manscaping

Delpo doesn't depilate

Delpo doesn't depilate

I bet Baghdatis doesn't either.

Enjoy the beach, Lady. I think it would be a big task for Rafa to defend the US open, but , as with Wimbledon, I hope he can give it his best. I do think a resurgent Djok is a threat, though. Be interesting to see if Murray plays.

I've been out with the dog, and it's grey, but still very warm here.

Djok and Angelique look very happy on the video.

On reflection I'm not that keen on a fully resurgent Djok. I've a new found admiration for his play, and the way he's come back from injury and low confidence, good for him. I'm impressed that he did all that and won Wimbledon. But I would like someone else to win the US. We'll see. I think confidence is a huge factor and that win over Rafa will have given him that in spades.

On the Tennis Podcast today they were saying that Rafa is more likely to catch Fed (Slam-wise) than Djokovic is to catch up with Rafa. Interesting...

It is interesting about the Djok/Rafa slam numbers. I would think a fully fit Djok, in theory, has more years ahead of him than Rafa (who is more susceptible to injury, especially if he has deep runs during the hard court season).

I'd love to see Delpo win the US open again. He will probably want to avoid Rafa though (in yet another slam)- although the matches are getting closer. .

Rafa doesn't choose to come into the net. He gets drawn in by his opponent.
Nor does Nole to be fair. But Nole has a far greater intent to create openings and put away winners.

@Fizzy! Are you back from Majorca now? Just seen on the news that there has been a freak mini tsunami around the islands of Majorca and Menorca.

Funny old weather every where this year.

Hello Raahh yes I’m still in Mallorca - haven’t noticed any tsunami type activity but we’ve not been to the beach in last few days - the weather is indeed very strange . It’s hotter here than normal I think. Was looking forward to getting home at the weekend for some cooler weather but not sure it will be.

Wondering if Rafa is back in Mallorca ....

Hope that your week is not to stressful and hope everyone not missing tennis too much.

Fizzy It's probably just the British press- maybe it's just a big wave . Rafa's probably gone fishing...

We have finally had some consistent rain, and cloud, although it's still quite warm. The sun has just come out as I wrote that, actually!

I'm taking this week, one day at a time. And distracting myself with longer dog walks .

Glad you're having a good time Fizzy. I feel quite flat with no tennis going on - really missing it

Rafa tweeted that he was taking a holiday, but he didn't say where, so look out for him!!

PS apparently Nishikori and Muguruza are both playing in an (exhibition?) tournament in Hawaii just before Christmas - sounds like another contender for the Tournaments To Attend wish list!

Hawaii would be lovely to visit.

Though maybe not at the moment, there has been a volcanic eruption

I’ve just googled the mini tsunami and there was some flooding quite near to where we’re staying .

We’re supposed to be going on a boat trip in a few days - hope it’s all calmed down by then (not the best sailor). Will keep my eyes peeled for sightings of Rafa on his boat!

Looking forward to the hard court season now - feel as if I’ve missed out a bit being away during the second week of Wimbledon.

Will be interesting to see who comes out on top at the us open - looks as if djok has got his mojo back.

Be careful out there Fizzy!

I'm looking forward to the hardcourt season too.

There's a great video on the Wimbledon website at the mo featuring rally of the fortnight. There was a lot of good tennis this year IMHO.