Tennis Thread:- The players are all on holiday, 2018 is coming to an end, but 2019 is around the corner and there will be lots to look forward to!

[Raahh]

Although I can't think about January yet...

I'm still in denial it's nearly December- which means ds will be 16 , and I will be 47 and another year will be over.

I hope so too magi.

I know what you mean Raahh. Everyone should be able to retire on their own terms, as far as possible. Really hope he'll be at Wimbledon one last time.

Poor Andy - so sad for him. It must be awful for him to be in so much pain. My DH told me when I woke up as well. Could barely watch the press conference - so raw

Love Billie Jean's tweet:

"You are a champion on and off the court. So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations. Much love to you & your family".

Andy's press conference reminded me about the Aussie Open and sent me here. I love him, I think he's fantastic both on and off court, and completely agree with Billie-Jean's tweet. I've been tearing up at all the messages of support from other players.

Djokovic is looking good for another Aus Open title, I think.

She strikes just the right note there. I still can't take it in tbh. Even though I knew it was probably coming...

Hard to see beyond Djok Grouchy but Fed is looking v sharp as well.

I think the women's is going to be interesting as well.

Even Jason Donovan has tweeted a Murray tribute

But Delpo's tweet sent me over the edge. And Stan. And Grigor...

Just been trawling through all the VTs and tweets on the BBC website. Was in tears with the one showing him winning Wimbledon for the first time.

Delpo's tweet was lovely and as much as it pains me to say it so was Kyrgios' tweet.
It was obvious this was coming sooner rather than later but the hip and pain is clearly even worse than most of us thought. Felt so sorry for Andy in his press conference and really hope he can play one last Wimbledon, even if it's the only tournament he plays after next week.

On a brighter note, Norrie is in his first ATP final and Evans and Dart both qualified for the main draw, although Dart has Sharapova in the first round.

This is a good listen for Muzz fans - highlights of his career as told in radio commentary (an AC-free zone!!) www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p04fjwmn

The BBC news reporters are all getting choked up over this.

We will never get a Murray-Rafa GS final. Seems wrong.

Right I need to go and do something useful now and stop moping around.

Oh, I'm just getting to watch it on the news now. I'd not seen it in full.

Ah Sue's on the news as was AC

I'm glad the interviewer on the BBC has, for once, pointed out that Sue Barker is a also GS champion.

It so often gets forgotten.

That's exactly what I was just thinking Raahh!

I think AC was just described as "a commentator" and beard enthusiast

I keep forgetting to mention: Eurosport Player is showing all the Aus Open matches via Amazon, and if you have prime you can add Eurosport for 1p a month on trial. Just in case that would be of use to anyone.

Private

It's true though- it is very, very rarely mentioned, Sue's RG win. I don't think she mentions it herself, she down plays her career anyway, but it is always Virginia Wade at Wimbledon that is mentioned, whenever British women and slams are talked about. I imagine a lot of (fair weather) tennis supporters don't even know Sue did win at RG!

Didn't she get to another GS final as well? Or have I imagined that? Go Sue!

DS is back from school: "Mum - I've got some sad news for you. Andy Murray is retiring from tennis - we saw it on Newsround". I didn't have the heart to say I already knew!

Came back to find this thread again after yesterday's news, I used to lurk here last summer but hadn't been around for a while. Genuinely heartbroken for Andy, I'm a huge admirer of his on and off the court and I'm gutted that he's been forced to take this step.

(Incidentally, I really admire that when he cries publicly about stuff like this, he doesn't feel the need to apologise for it. It's a good message for a high-profile man to send.)

Great article on the BBC website about his support of the women players. Heather Watson's message is lovely.

Yes, there are so many messages on social media from WTA players, saying how good he was at supporting the women's game (and women in general). I think he really put his money where his mouth is on that. He's a brilliant role model IMO, I could never get annoyed about his on court "behaviour" as it was nothing really, and sooo far outweighed by the other stuff he did.

I agree about not apologising for crying as well - makes a nice change. He's going to leave such a big gap when he does actually retire.

I'm really going to miss him moaning about the overhead cameras at RG, it always made me laugh

I usually lurk on this thread, was so sorry to hear this news I think Andy Murray is a true gentleman, Billie-Jeans tweet summed him up perfectly.
Yy Eastbourne, we went last year for the first time, was really enjoyable & a great atmosphere, hopefully going again this year.

I rarely post on here, which is unfortunate as it's the only tennis thread on Mn, but you know....

Devastated but oh so proud of the man that Andy Murray has become.

Tennis will be all the poorer for his absence.

And his gold in Rio will be my takeaway moment, even if some mumsnetters were cheering on the opposition