Tennis Thread- It's the US OPEN already, we're prepared for late nights, (and Amazon Prime is making us cross already)

[Raahh]

I can't believe it's nearly September, really. I'm sure the Australian open has just finished.

I'm going to spend the morning labelling school uniform . I really am.

I probably won't

Jane it was Mohamed Lahyani, who I've seen a lot over the years, and is usually ok. Mostly. Maybe the heat got to him.

I keep meaning to start the X Factor thread- and then don't because the fact it is that time of year again keeps scaring me.

Oh Mohamed likes to get involved. He's always gets into arguments with the players. He needs to be more authoritative! (like Fergus Murphy)

Well, "not giving your best effort" is a breach of the rules. But there's a big difference between saying "Hey Nick don't forget: you have to give your best effort or I will disqualify you" and a pep talk.

Jane Well, look what you've made me do

X factor thread

(sorry everyone else for slight derail- not that we stay on track often..)

Private it is- and they can be fined and warned for it. Dan Evans famously was once fined heavily for tanking in a match- even though he won it.

I've never seen an umpire come down from his chair, and talk to a player in that way. I had just turned over- and at first, I was confused, though it was his trainer, or his coach. It was very odd. I wondered if he was injured.

Thanks Raahh. Oh it feels very wintery now...

Oh it does- I was in one shop yesterday, and they had 3 aisles of Hallowe'en stuff.

Today I went for a card, to be faced with Christmas cards.

Soon be the Australian Open

I've managed to never watch the X-factor somehow!!

Yes it's mad Raahh - I'd just watched a clip of the pep talk I think that's a bit outside of an umpire's remit!!

Watching Roger v Paire now. He was a bit lucky to take that first set was Rog.

Benoit might have a Gallic strop, he's a bit of fiery one.

Kyrgios

PrivateI watch every year. It's not high art, but the threads make it bearable. . I wouldn't watch it without. I always say I won't watch- but I get sucked in every time.

I think the only reason I watch now Private is to annoy my family and for the MN thread. It's well past it's prime

Lol you two
to annoy my family what better reason could there be?!

He's all class.

Private that tweet

He realises on court coaching is allowed at certain tournaments for women ? Idiot.

Benoit still rocking the highlights.

And of course, the fabulous beard. If only Andrew Castle was there to tell us all about it.

Benoit’s beard is very beardy! Yes we need Andrew castle right now!

The last time I watched X factor I think JLS were in it

They’ve just shown a clip of the umpire having a word with Kyrgios - I think he was completely out of order and really unfair to the other player.

Yeah I miss the peaceful old Wimbledon days of beard-based chat and AC droning on

I don't really, but I have to say I'm a bit over all the "controversies" of the US Open. And it's only day 4!
I suppose Wimbledon had its own controversies to be fair, what with the ridiculous mens semis scheduling still bitter and Roof-gate.

JLS- now that's a while back. 2008?

Fizzy so do I

I'm bitter about roof gate.

Talking of roof gate (but I'm going back to the Aussie open with this one), I've just remembered Cilic is playing in a bit. Haven't seen him so far this year.

Wel,, Benoit, if you didn't smash so many, you wouldn't need another racquet