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

private I've just been reading about that- definitely makes sense. But common sense is lacking- they need to look after the players, all they seem to be bothered about is players taking too long to do things. Clearly , some of the spectators there have very short attention spans, and can't cope without wandering about/ making too much noise/disrupting play.

Like the article I read said, Millman grew up in Brisbane. He is used to humidity. It's not about the players being precious, or trying to do disrupt the run of play by going off to change. It's hot, humid, and they are uncomfortable. Well doe to Novak for not making a fuss- I can think of one or two who would have been convinced the player was trying to get an advantage!

Completely agree with all of that Raahh! As we've said many times, there are loads of things they could do to improve things, and quibbling about changing shorts or whatever, when there's a clear need for the player to do so, is just daft. As is the shot clock

If they really want to make matches quicker, why don't they speed up the court surface to create shorter rallies/more serve and volley?! Just saying

Btw. Is anyone else getting the Sainsbury's Tu ad at the bottom of the page? The model looks a bit like Tsitsipas!

at the Sainsbury's ad

I get the feeling the tournament organisers would be happier if they could impose a time limit on matches ..

At the beginning of the year, Mac was all for speeding up all the courts- as a way to prolong Federer's career. I think he was only half joking

I love Mac

Yes setting a time limit would be ideal from the organisers point of view!! The priority should be the players, completely agree with that. During the Cilic-Nishikori match yday, Courier was saying they slowed the USO courts down this year to help the American players, something to do with mixing sand with the paint?! - didn't really catch all of it but that was the gist I think.

Btw the Tennis Podcast is well worth a listen today for Rafa fans. They were doing some more analysis of his match against Thiem, and saying that Nadal is a great fighter etc as we all know, but he leaves it all on the court - he doesn't have any aggro towards his opponents afterwards and is always very appreciative and complimentary of them etc. They were saying about how he crossed the net to hug Thiem and the way they talked about it was v moving!

Can you imagine the emotions on display when he plays Delpo??? I don't think I can handle it!

Rafa is lovely, always has been.

Trying to make the courts more US player friendly is interesting- it's 15 years since they've had an open champion, someone was discussing it the other day. They've not gone that long between champions for a very long time.

Yes that's ages - and I can't see them getting another one on the men's side any time soon. Also did you hear Greg saying that's why Isner played all this matches (apart from the QF) on Armstrong??

Interesting about Isner.

Are they suggesting that's why he lost the QF, the different court?

It's lucky the Women's side is healthier for them. It's why they need Serena to stick around a bit.

Definitely. Although their women's side is pretty healthy with Stephens, Keys etc.

I've just realised I probably won't watch any tennis today - as the women's SFs don't start until midnight BST (I think)

Mind you, I probably need to build my reserves of sleep for tomorrow, planning to watch both men's matches. First one starts at 9pm here I think.

How is it fair to change the court to suit the Americans?

Yes, I am planning my night tomorrow.

I want the Delpo/Rafa match to be as good as their Wimbledon match.
I'm not so surprised they were trying to find excuses for Isner's loss in that way. I think they had high hopes for him this year.

But- had he reached the final, he would have been on Ashe anyway.

Jane it isn't, really is it?

Don’t think I’ll be watching any tennis tonight - I’m feeling a bit worn out by it!

Does anyone know when Rafa/Delpo’s match will be on tomorrow? I would have thought it would be second but not sure. I would love to watch it but we’re taking DS1 back to uni on Saturday so can’t really stay up all night.

I really like the Tennis podcast so I’ll give the one about the Rafa/Thiem match a listen to. They are really knowledgable about tennis and interesting and amusing as well (some people could take a leaf out if their books ). When the Rafa/Thiem match was on they’d gone out for dinner, been to a bar and the match was still going on! I thought they sounded a bit tipsy.

Americans are desperate for a home men’s champion - Mac seems to think that Americans will only watch tennis if an American player is playing.

Yes they follow up on that in this episode Fizzy - it's v funny.

Can I just say: I'm so over-invested in these men's semis. If Cilic had made it the four champions scenario I would have probably passed out with the excitement!!

I don't think they have said yet which match will be first - although they're usually quite quick to announce the schedule. Hope you'll be able to watch Fizzy

Thanks Private - I’m also out tomorrow evening which complicates matters further (would rather stay in and watch tennis!)

If anyone asks me to go anywhere during the next four days (well especially tomorrow and Sunday) I will be gutted and probably refuse! I'm already having flashbacks to how I had to miss most of the Rafa-Delpo Wimbledon match because the ILs selfishly wanted to take us out for a posh meal, the cheek of them I hated every minute of it and was rudely checking my phone throughout! Seriously - they should have known better

DelPo v Rafa is first on Friday, 4pm NY time.
Djokovic v Nishikori follows not before 5.30pm NYC time.

Thanks Private - hopefully I’ll be able to make an early escape and see most of the match. I know we were on holiday when Wimbledon was on so I don’t think I saw the Rafa/Delpo match so definitely don’t want to miss them this time. I’m sure it will be a good match.

I’ve not got any plans for Sunday night though so that’s good.

I think they might need more than 1 and a half hours for the first match though.

The Rafa/Delpo match at Wimbledon was at the same time as an England world cup match, so I ended up watching it in dd2's bedroom.

I even enjoyed the Murray/Henman commentary.

I'm really looking forward to it- 3rd slam on the trot, it's becoming a habit for them (and of the three- this is Delpo's best shot). But I do want Rafa to defend his title too, so I'm a bit torn .

I love them both. Why can't they both win?!

Did you see Nishikori was asked if his SF win over Djokovic in 2014 would help him tomorrow, and he said "oh yeah - I forgot about that"

I saw them play each other at the O2 and it was a bit of a whitewash (in Djokovic's favour). But you never know. I wouldn't really be surprised at any possible result from the 2 matches, tbh.

I can't get excited by the Nish/Djok match.

It's a Rafa/Juan isn't a final.

I can't either. Didn't they play each other at Wimbledon as well, or have I imagined that??

Private they did. it was the least interesting of the quarter finals.(O.k, so Raonic/Isner was an anti climax too). Nish did get a set, iirc, which raised my hope a bit.

2 of my least favourite players, really.

I wish I could watch Rafa/Delpo. Stupid Amazon

Ah yes Raahh I was trying to work out why I didn’t watch the Delpo/Rafa Wimbledon match - it was because of the England World Cup match of course.

I too wish the semi could be the final - I also can’t get excited about the Djokovic/Nishikori match - suspect Djokovic will win that one though.

Interestingly there are two Japanese players in a grand slam semi for the first time (the podcast told me that ).